Harold's Blog

Manager One-On-One

Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Topics of discussion included the capital projects review, council interactions, and the upcoming town hall State of Cary address.

Cary Tennis Classic Board

Monday night I met with the Cary Tennis Classic board. Topics of discussion included sponsors, funding for the Cary Tennis Classic scheduled for June 29^th through July 6^th, the ACC tournament, electric line calling, and a potential trip to the US Open.

State of Cary at MacGregor Rotary

Tuesday I gave a 25-minute version of the State of Cary address to the MacGregor Rotary. This was my shortest presentation of the year. There were about 30 to 40 people in attendance and based on comments afterwards it was well received. I was only able to answer about three or four questions after the presentation. One of the questions was about the relocation of the cross-country trail at the WakeMed Soccer Park. I assured them this would happen before Trinity Road was extended over the railroad tracks.

Cary #1 Public Playground in US

Wednesday I was notified that Cary has the #1 playground in the nation with the Nest in the Downtown Cary Park. The bird play structures were created in Canada and shipped here. It is a one-of-a-kind playground and is one of the reasons our Downtown Cary Park gets national recognition. Here is the press release:

Cary’s signature play space, The Nest at Downtown Cary Park, has been named the #1 Public Playground in America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

“This national recognition is something every Cary citizen can take pride in,” said Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor of Cary. “It reflects the thoughtful, community-driven values that guide our work, and the kind of quality-of-life investment that makes Cary such a special place to call home.”

Located in the center of Downtown Cary, The Nest has quickly become a landmark in the Research Triangle Park region. Its forest-inspired towers, slides, splash features, and inclusive design draw visitors from across the region—but it’s the pair of vibrant cardinal play structures, inspired by North Carolina’s state bird, that have become its most recognizable symbol. The Nest also serves as a prominent feature of Downtown Cary Park, a catalyst project driving economic activity and community engagement since opening in 2023.

“More than 750,000 people visited in the Park’s first year, and we’ve seen a direct boost to nearby businesses and events,” said Joy Ennis, General Manager of Downtown Cary Park. “This national award highlights the Park’s growing role as a community anchor, supporting local business, drawing regional tourism, and enriching Cary’s sense of place.”

Voting ran from March 10 to April 7, placing The Nest in a national spotlight among playgrounds in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Antonio, and states from Florida to Hawaii. Its top billing highlights Downtown Cary’s evolution into one of the East Coast’s most dynamic destinations—walkable, connected, and constantly drawing new energy with free events year-round.

This latest win adds to a growing list of accolades for Downtown Cary Park: 

• 2024 Voters’ Choice Award – Best Park, WRAL 
• 2024 GOLD Award, National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 
• 2024 GRAND Award, Landscape Contractors Association (LCA) 
• 2024 Space Award, Triangle Business Journal – Top Municipal Project 
• 2022 Merit Award, NC ASLA – Analysis & Planning 
• 2020 Best of Design Award, Honorable Mention – The Architect’s Newspaper 

Visitors to Downtown Cary can explore other award-winning destinations within walking distance, including: 

• Bond Brothers Beer Company (202 East Cedar Street, Cary, NC 27511) — USA TODAY 10Best #1 Best New Brewery (2017) 
• La Farm Bakery (220 West Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511) — 10Best pick for Best Artisanal Baker in North America (2019)

Elsewhere in Cary, several other events and locations have made the list as USA Today 10Best winners or runners up, including: 

• Hum Sub Diwali – 10Best runner-up for Best Cultural Festival (2025), held October 11 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, a lakeside venue just a short drive from Downtown Cary.
• The Umstead Hotel & Spa – 10Best runner-up for Best Hotel Spa (2018), located 15 minutes from both Downtown Cary and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
• Herons at The Umstead – 10Best runner-up for Best Hotel Restaurant (2021), led by James Beard semifinalist Steven Devereaux Greene and known for its seasonally inspired menus. 

The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate top destinations across the country, chosen by experts and voted on by the public. Cary’s growing presence across multiple categories underscores the town’s rise as a hub for recreation, culture, and community in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region. 

To plan your visit to The Nest and explore all that Downtown Cary has to offer, visit downtowncarypark.com. 

CAMPO

Wednesday afternoon I participated in a meeting of the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s) Executive Board. Here are some of the takeaways and actions from that meeting:

• This region will grow by over 1 million people and 800,000 jobs in the next 30 years.
• Amendment #8 to FY2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program was approved. (These are recommended changes for the 10-year transportation improvement plan for the region.)
• The Executive Board will now meet every third Wednesday at 3 PM instead of 4 PM.
• The Wake Transit Plan will generate about 3 billion between FY2026 and FY2035. Roughly half of the revenue has been programmed. 54% from the sales tax collections and 24% from the long-term bond proceeds.
• The Executive Board adopted a 50% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries by 2055 instead of 0 fatalities as part of Vision Zero. An interim goal of a 10% reduction from now until 2035 was approved. The board felt that the zero goal by 2055 was not realistic.
• Four scenarios were presented for consideration that would convert Capital Boulevard (US 1) into a controlled-access highway in Wake County between I-540 and Purnell/Harris roads in Wake Forest:
  • Scenario 1: All-tolled Expressway; Standalone
  • Scenario 2: All-tolled Expressway; added to the Triangle Expressway System
  • Scenario 3: One Express Lane in each direction; Standalone
  • Scenario 4: One Express Lane in each direction; added to the Triangle Expressway System

Cary Chamber Elected Officials Reception

Thursday night I attended and spoke at the Cary Chamber’s Elected Officials Reception. In my remarks I talked about how fortunate we are to benefit from meaningful collaboration at every level: federal, state, and local. These partnerships are the foundation of our success and central to our ability to deliver the services and programs our citizens and businesses rely on.

I spent my time at the reception talking to several business leaders and elected officials including Congresswoman Deborah Ross to NC Senator Gale Adcock. I was there for a little over three hours.

NC Metro Mayors

Although the NC Metro Mayors didn’t meet this week, we did receive a legislative summary from Checkmate Government Relations:

Senate Budget

On Monday, the North Carolina Senate released their spending plan for this biennium. The Senate’s budget bill, Senate Bill 257,  prioritizes replenishing the Rainy-Day Fund, setting aside $1.3B for Hurricane Helene recovery and DOT recovery support, and initiating personal income tax cuts in 2027 (3.49%) and 2028 (2.99%). The bill was heard in committees this week and passed on the Senate Floor (30-15). Democrat Senators Blue (Wake), Lowe (Forsyth), Robinson (Guilford), and Waddell (Mecklenburg) voted for the budget and Republican Senator Bobby Hanig (Bertie) voted against it. The budget also included: 

• $638.5M for NC Children’s Hospital, a partnership between the UNC and Duke Health care systems to build the state’s first and only freestanding children’s hospital
• Total repeal of the Certificate of Need laws in North Carolina
• $110M to the Department of Environmental Quality to provide grants to local governments and water/sewer authorities for PFAS mitigation efforts. 
• Doubled the tax rate on revenue collected by sports betting operators in the state from 18% to 36%.
• Decreased annual spending on Powell Bill funding for local governments by $50M.

The House will begin working on their own budget proposal with the hope of voting on it in early June. 

House and Development Implications

Representative Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) introduced House Bill 765, Local Gov. Development Regulations Omnibus. This legislation would make substantial changes to a local government’s ability to set development regulations. The bill contains provisions that would:

• Require local governments to provide fiscal notes regarding any ordinance with impacts on housing.
• Allow developers and citizens to sue a city under new conflict of interest language.
• Preempt local authority in regulating mixed housing units, such as auxiliary dwelling units, tiny homes, and triplexes.
• Remove allowances for parking lot minimums. 

H765 received a favorable report in the House Housing and Development Committee. It is currently sitting in House Rules. 

Legislative Spring Break and Crossover 

Next week, the House and Senate will be on a Legislative Spring break. Both chambers will not be scheduled to meet until Monday, April 28^th. Crossover deadline is scheduled for Thursday, May 8^th. A bill must pass out of its chamber of origin before May 8^th to be eligible for consideration during the biennium. 

Town Manager’s Report

No town manager’s report this week due to the holiday.

Mayor’s Mailbox

I typically receive several complaints a week. But it has always fascinated me that holidays generate several complaints. Here are the emails I received this week:

• Dozens of complaints about the Regency proposal 24-REZ-06 (Council has yet to see a staff report and hold a public hearing).
• Dozens of complaints about the Waverly proposal 23-REZ-12.
• A complaint about downtown parking during events.
• A request for help with a legacy bench.
• A request to buy someone’s property because a development “is a heartless and cruel way to treat Cary’s senior citizens by the Town.” (The town’s development follows the Cary Community Plan created by Cary citizens. In addition, property owners have a protected right to develop their property, and we have no authority to prevent that. The authority we have been given is to decide the type of use. And again, that is based on the Cary Community Plan.)

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a private meeting with a citizen, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a State of Cary address open to the public, an Economic Development meeting, a meeting with Regency residents, a council reception to welcome sister city students from Le Touquet, the last regularly scheduled council meeting of April, a NC Metro Mayors meeting, and the Triangle Walk to Defeat Dementia.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 27^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Snow Conference

I was in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the first part of the week speaking at the APWA (American Public Works Association) Snow Conference as part of my consulting job. As a result, all my council meetings early in the week were virtual. I go to conferences about five to six times a year and speak on government relations focusing on ways staffs present information to elected officials.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I attempted to contact council members to hear of any questions or concerns about the upcoming council meeting agenda. There were questions and comments about the Old Apex Rezoning and the changes for Accessory Dwelling Units.

Later in the day I met virtually with staff to go over the agenda items. We expected the Old Apex rezoning to not be a unanimous decision.

TST Promotional Video

Thursday morning I did a promotional video for the TST (The Soccer Tournament) at the WakeMed soccer park. We did several takes in various positions including on the pitch. This will be the third straight year for TST in Cary. It will have men’s and women’s brackets with each chasing a $1 million winner-take-all prize.

There is also The Cary Cup this year, which is the nation’s first 7-v-7 youth tournament using TST’s signature format.

Council Work Session

Thursday evening the council held another work session on the budget. Here are some of the takeaways from this work session:

Economic Environment has Changed

• Project scopes remain the same
• Project costs have at least doubled
• Budgeted funds aren’t enough to complete most projects
• General Fund has limited capacity to provide additional support

Project Designations:

• Continue: mandated, maintains existing infrastructure, underway at a point where it is difficult to stop
• Reassess: cost prohibitive – doesn’t have the funding to complete the project, has not begun, at the end of a phase

Resulting Actions:

• Continue: work continues as planned, funding remains in the project
• Reassess: all funding removed from the project and returned to the original source, project remains on reassess list, funding could be requested in a future year or through rolling budget

The manager’s proposed budget will be presented at the quarterly meeting on May 1^st. The first public hearing on the budget will be held on May 22^nd.

Council Meeting

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

The consent items were approved unanimously and included an amendment to parking, recognition of funds for the Gathering House, a bid for a new maintenance facility at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility, a bid for a new clarifier mechanism replacement at the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility, and minutes.

The public hearing was for 22-REZ-20 Alston Commons PDP. The proposal would rezone approximately 22.74 acres, along NC 55 Hwy to allow the development of a maximum of 625 multi-family dwelling units, 200,000 square feet of office uses, and 55,000 square feet of commercial uses including a car wash up to 30,000 square feet. Other conditions include vertical mixing of uses in some pods, commitments to structured parking, 48 electric vehicle charging spaces, and renting a minimum of 5% of the residential units to renters at or below 80% area median income (AMI) for a period of 30 years. Speakers included Mr. Petty who was concerned about being landlocked by the development with no access to Hwy 55. Council provided a lot of feedback including a discussion on entering and exiting the site on Hwy 55 without a traffic signal. They also talked about the car wash that would be completely enclosed. This proposal will go to the Planning and Zoning board for review and likely be returned to the council for a decision in a few months.

The first discussion item was 21-REZ-16 Old Apex Rezoning. The proposal was for 200 multi-family units along Old Apex Road near the intersection of Chatham and Old Apex. The proposal has been in the works for years and was vehemently opposed by the neighboring residents initially. At the time of this vote and after many changes by the applicant, most of the residents were OK with the proposal. I struggled with the proposal because I felt it could be better, and it was denser than I liked. I knew if it was denied then a year would have to pass before a new proposal could be brought forward. And there was a risk that a new proposal could be worse and have more density. But I believed the density was worth the risk and voted no. The proposal passed by a 5 – 2 margin.

The last discussion item, approved unanimously, was to make changes to the Land Development Ordinance for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units). The changes allowed detached ADUs in all single-unit detached-dwelling residential districts; increase the maximum ADU size relative to primary dwelling size from 33% to 50% (maximum 800 square feet remains for detached ADUs and additions to the primary dwelling that result in an ADU; however, an allowance was added for a maximum ADU size of 1,000 square feet for lots that are 40,000 square feet or greater); require one parking space per ADU regardless of the number of bedrooms; and clarify technical definitions of detached and attached ADUs. Homeowner Association rules supersede this ordinance which means this new change doesn’t apply to about half of Cary.

NC Metro Mayors

Friday I attended the NC Metro Mayors meeting for a legislative update. The following is a summary of this week’s legislative action from Checkmate Government Relations:

The DAVE Act

Senate Bill 474, the DAVE Act, introduced by Senator Berger (R-Rockingham) passed through the Senate this week.  S474 establishes the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency (DAVE) within the State Auditor’s office. The bill requires state agencies to submit spending reports to the DAVE. The Auditor’s office would then compile the reports into a comprehensive plan at the end of each year that highlights which state agencies, divisions, or jobs can be cut and submit it to the General Assembly.

Similarly, the House of Representatives launched a House Select Committee on Government Efficiency earlier this year. Both moves by the General Assembly follow a national push for government transparency and efficiency. 46% of voters nationally and 51% of voters in North Carolina are supportive of efforts to tackle inefficiencies in government. 

Medicaid Requirements

North Carolina’s Division of Health Benefits inside the Department of Health and Human Services has been tasked with developing a plan alongside the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement work requirements for those who are eligible to participate in these programs. Senator Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) filed Senate Bill 403 to authorize this action. The Trump administration and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz recently issued changes in guidance that make this legislation necessary. Currently, Georgia is the only state with a work requirement. 

S403 passed out of the Senate Health Care Committee this week and has been referred to Senate Rules. 

Replacement for Senator Newton

Cabarrus County chair Chris Measmer was appointed by the Cabarrus County Republican Party to replace former Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton in the North Carolina Senate. Newton resigned on March 26^th to become the general counsel at UNC-Chapel Hill. Measmer served as a county commissioner for seven years, serves on the statewide National Federation of Independent Business, and runs his family business, the Wayside Family Restaurant in Concord. The decision to appoint Measmer was unanimous.  Governor Stein must approve the selection by the end of the week. 

The following is a legislative summary from the NC Metro Mayors staff:

This week’s Coalition meeting centered around the significant volume of bills filed in both chambers of the General Assembly over the past few weeks (current total for both chambers = 1,766). With the House’s bill filing deadline yesterday (Thursday), we expect that chamber to spend the next week considering a large number of bills in committee before it recesses the week of April 21. On the other side of the Legislative Building, Senate budget leaders have announced that their budget proposal will be released on April 15. Based on numerous reports, most expect this budget to include both spending cuts and new spending on targeted projects, though at an expected overall lower total spending than last year’s budget. We will share more information about the Senate budget as soon as it becomes available.

The following bills were discussed during this week’s call:

House Bill 801 “LRC Study Paper Towns”

House Bill 831 “Comm. Inspect. Efficiency Act”

House Bill 837 “Study Alternative Methods for Highway Funding”

House Bill 849 “Utility Forced Relocation Expenses”

House Bill 876 “Development Application Review Time Lines”

House Bill 913 “Liability/Unfair/Deceptive Develop. Actions”

Senate Bill 666 “2025 Water Safety Act”

A notable bill that we neglected to mention was House Bill 171, “Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI,” which, while passed by House committees over the past couple of weeks, was twice removed from the House calendar this week. It is currently scheduled to be heard next Wednesday (4/16).  

Most of today’s meeting focused on House Bill 765, “Local Gov. Development Regulations Omnibus,” a sweeping measure poised to dismantle local land-use planning and regulations. As attendees heard, this bill represents an unprecedented shift that strips municipalities of their ability to apply tailored regulatory standards, paving the way for unchecked development in some cases while imposing rigid statewide mandates in others. 

Black Creek Greenway Update

There have been questions about the progress of the Black Creek Greenway project. The following is the latest status from staff:

“… this project is federally funded, requires NCDOT oversight, and a total renovation of the greenway system. It is also being constructed in three phases to minimize impacts to greenway users. The first phase that is currently under construction from West Dynasty Drive to just north of NW Cary Parkway is the most complicated phase as it combines significant greenway renovation work with also the new pedestrian bridge along NW Cary Parkway. However, the contract has been set up with an interim completion date to open the section between West Dynasty Drive and Livingstone Drive by end of August and we are currently ahead of schedule to complete this phase. I can assure you that the staff is working diligently with the contractor and NCDOT to complete this work as quickly as possible assuming the weather is cooperative. …”

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

Just a quick reminder that the Pimento Cheese Festival is happening tomorrow at Downtown Cary Park. This one-of-a-kind event celebrates all things pimento cheese and draws thousands to our downtown each year. A big thank you to our incredible staff for putting together such a well-loved event.

One more note, there will be no weekly report next Friday, April 18, as most Cary staffed facilities, including Town Hall, will be closed in observance of Good Friday.

Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

Council Meeting April 10^th

Height of the Good Hope Church Road Water Tank – The linked email provides the overall height of the Good Hope Church Road Water Tank, along with a map showing the heights of Cary’s water tanks throughout the water distribution system.

BridgeNCSU Civiccon

Councilmember Lori Bush joined Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell and Raleigh Mayor Pro Tem Stormie Forte, a Raleigh City Councilmember At Large, at BridgeNCSU’s Civiccon. BridgeNCSU is a chapter of BridgeUSA, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for political depolarization and promotes civil discourse on high school and college campuses across the U.S.

The Local Gov panel shared their respective experiences and goals for working across differences in service to their communities. The event concluded with a special opportunity to meet Congressman G.K. Butterfield.

Fest in the West

On Saturday, over 2,000 attendees enjoyed Fest in the West held in its new location at Mills Park. The spotlight was on kids this year, with the festival bringing back popular attractions like the petting zoo and the gravity-defying aerialists from Cirque du Vol. It really lived up to its theme: Where Everyone’s a Star! Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Bryson Robinson and Councilmembers Carissa Kohn-Johnson, Michelle Craig, and Sarika Bansal attended and took to the stage to thank the Western Cary community for making the festival a success. 

Cary 101 Kicks Off

On Wednesday night, Town Manager Sean Stegall, Town Clerk Virginia Johnson, Deputy Town Attorney Nick Yates, Assistant Finance Director Denisha Harris, and Budget Manager Liam Brailey helped Assistant Director of Special Projects Ryan Eades kickoff this year’s Cary 101 with a civics session. This year’s 25 participants learned about Cary’s Legal Department, Clerk’s Office, and OneCary Culture, and participated in a budgeting exercise.

Inside Downtown Cary Park

On Thursday, Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin hosted the Inspire Leadership Network’s TriangleCIO Chapter for an Inside Downtown Cary Park event. Attendees received a behind-the-scenes look at how Cary is using a LoRaWAN sensor network to make Downtown Cary Park smarter and more responsive.

CIOs from organizations such as BCBS, SAS, LexisNexis, Parexel, Qualitest, Pitt County, and Associated Staffing were in attendance. Cary IT staff members Justin Sherwood, Ted Urbaniak, James Leeder, and Matt Porazzo, along with Downtown Cary Park General Manager Joy Ennis and staff member Linda Depo, led a tour showcasing the park’s technology. They also facilitated an engaging, interactive discussion on Cary’s Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives and key takeaways.

Del Web Pedestrian Crosswalk Installation

This week, Public Works staff updated two pedestrian crosswalks in the Del Webb Community. This marks Cary’s first effort to install heat-in-place thermoplastic pavement markings in-house.

4437 Highcroft Drive Property Demolition

Starting on April 16, contractors working on behalf of Cary will begin demolishing a house and garage on a property purchased in 2022, located next to the Neighborhood Park at Carpenter Fire Station Road. They will also remove the septic tank and two well houses. The work is expected to take about 30 days and will not disrupt park visitors.

A Grateful Acknowledgement from Asheville

This week, the Cary Police Department received a heartfelt letter of appreciation from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, recognizing the department’s dedicated support to the City of Asheville following Hurricane Helene. In her letter, Mayor Manheimer noted that the assistance provided by Cary officers not only delivered essential services to the Asheville community but also uplifted residents’ spirits during a difficult time. She emphasized that the collaboration and selflessness demonstrated by Cary’s staff reflect the strength and unity of the broader Western North Carolina community.

Empowering People with Disabilities Through Transit Education

GoCary is proud to partner with PRCR to educate and empower individuals with disabilities through our transit training program. This initiative provides participants with hands-on experience using public transportation, helping them develop independence and confidence while navigating the community. A recent class put their transit skills into action by taking the fare-free Downtown Loop to Downtown Cary Park for the “Live at Lunch” music series and a picnic. We look forward to more opportunities to connect residents with resources that help them thrive!

Creek Week Impact

Hosted in collaboration with the Clean Water Education Partnership , Creek Week is a regional engagement campaign focused on education and action to support healthy waterways. Thanks to a OneCary effort between Stormwater and PRCR staff, Cary engaged nearly 5,000 community members through environmental volunteer events, educational booths, a social media campaign, and water-quality-related programs during the week of March 15. Among these participants, 91 volunteers contributed a collective 182 hours performing a variety of tasks, including spreading mulch at the regenerative teaching farm and collecting 430 pounds of litter throughout Cary.

2025 Veolia North Carolina Open

Last week, Cary hosted the PPA North Carolina Cup (Professional Pickleball Tournament) at the Cary Tennis Park. The event featured the world’s top-ranked players: Anna Leigh Waters in the women’s division and Federico Staksrud in the men’s. The tournament set records for both attendance and ticket sales for any PPA event in North Carolina. Additionally, over 1,000 amateur participants took part. For more information, visit the Veolia North Carolina Open website.

Upcoming Meetings

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, April 16
6:15 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, April 17
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A request to develop around the WakeMed soccer park (not our land – belongs to the state).
• A complaint about pedestrian safety around the Downtown Cary Park.
• Requests to vote yes for 21-REZ-16 Old Apex rezoning.
• Requests to vote no for 21-REZ-16 Old Apex rezoning.
• Invitations to several events.
• Concerns about recently approved changes at entrances/exits to Bond Park.
• Comments about a utility bill and our utilities department.
• Comments about a legacy bench at Symphony Lake.
• Concerns about parking on Shirley Drive during downtown events.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Cary Tennis Classic Board meeting, a State of Cary address at the McGregor Rotary, a CAMPO Executive Board meeting, and an Elected Officials Reception meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 20^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Cary #1 Place to Move to in NC

Monday I was notified that ConsumerAffairs ranked Cary as the #1 place in NC to move to. Factors noted were median housing cost with median income average, affordability, low unemployment rate, a high home value appreciation rate, and low violent crimes.

Cary #1 Best Place to Live in NC

This week, Cary was named the #1 Best Place to Live in North Carolina by both Niche and Consumer Affairs. We are proud to be continuously recognized as one of the greatest places to live, work, play, raise a family, and run a business.

Jackson Robol Interview

Monday, I had a short interview with Jackson Robol. Jackson, a young adult with autism, started his show in 2020. He has interviewed hundreds of people over the years. Our interview lasted about ten minutes. You can see it on his website at https://www.facebook.com/jacksonrobolmedia.

Cary Tennis Classic Sponsor Event

Monday night I attended an event hosted by the Cary Tennis Classic board for sponsors. After mingling and getting to know each other better, we talked about ideas to make our tournament better. This year’s tournament will be the week of July 4^th. You can find out more at https://carytennisclassic.com/.

HRID

Tuesday, I participated in the Human Relations Inclusiveness and Diversity board. The meeting started with a presentation from the Cultural Arts Manager who talked about pride and Juneteenth events. In addition, he pointed out that the Cary Arts Center has one of the strongest visual arts programs in the state.

Other topics included how Cary citizen and Cary employee demographic data match up, information on Cary advisory board demographics, planning for the Ritmo Latino festival, and translating public safety information into five languages.

State of Cary at Newcomers Club

Wednesday I presented the State of Cary address to about 100 people of the Cary Newcomers Club. The meeting was held at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church’s fellowship hall. Before and after my presentation I answered a variety of questions about current town activities. I was there about an hour and a half.

ABA Ribbon Cutting

Thursday I joined council member Craig for the ribbon cutting of Priorities ABA in Cary. They specialize in behavioral consulting and therapy services for children with autism spectrum disorder. We were given a tour of the facility, participated in remarks, and was a part of the ribbon cutting. We are grateful for the service that Priorities ABA provides to our Cary citizens.

NC Metro Mayors

The NC Metro Mayors met on Friday morning to get a legislative summary. Here is a summary by the Executive Director:

During today’s Coalition meeting, the group discussed the significant volume of bills filed in both chambers of the General Assembly over the past few weeks. The House’s bill filing deadline was pushed back this week and will now be this Thursday (April 10) at 3 PM. Senate budget leaders have also been discussing their proposal, which they expect to release around April 15. Finally, following the retirement of Senator Paul Newton, Senate Republicans elected Senator Michael Lee of New Hanover County as their next majority leader.

The following bills were discussed during this week’s call:
House Bill 171 “Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI”
House Bill 570 “Responsible Firefighting Foam Management Act”
House Bill 765 “Local Gov. Development Regulations Omnibus”

Due to House Bill 765’s comprehensive nature, we recommend that you share it with your planning departments and attorneys. Please send Seth any feedback you have so we can incorporate it into our advocacy.

A link to the NCLM FY25-26 Revenue Projections Memo that was referenced during today’s meeting is provided below. 

As always, Coalition members are reminded to stay in contact with the members of their legislative delegation regarding budget and policy priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Seth or any member of the lobbying team if you have any questions or gain any intelligence from your meetings that would interest the entire group. The lobbying team will continue to monitor General Assembly activities and provide updates during future Coalition calls. 

PPA Pickleball in Cary

Friday I attended a PPA (professional pickleball association) tournament at Cary Tennis Park called the Veolia North Carolina Open. It featured the #1 pickleball male, Ben Johns, and the #1 pickleball female, Anna Leigh Waters, in the world. I was fortunate to see them play in doubles. The park was packed with pickleball fans, and it was a great atmosphere. I am looking forward to this being an annual event.

Founders Day

Saturday, I participated in a play to celebrate Cary Founder’s Day. Cary was founded on April 3, 1871, by Frank Page. The play was created and organized by Catherine Loflin. Our play started at the Cary Arts Center and ended across from the Cary Depot. On the way we provided information about Cary’s past. We were all dressed in 1871 attire. I was playing the part of Frank Page and wore a suit with a top hat. Even though the weather was a bit warm for early April (mid 80s) it was a lot of fun. I look forward to doing more of these in the future.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

I’m looking forward to continuing our budget and finance discussions at next week’s work session. As a reminder, the start time has been moved to 5 p.m.
Enjoy your weekend!
Sean

Green Level Church and O’Kelly Metrics

Transportation Metrics for Green Level Church Road and O’Kelly Chapel Road – The metrics provided include travel speeds, congestion levels, crash history, operational performance, and planned future improvements.

Hum Sub Basant Bahar

On Sunday, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Councilmembers Lori Bush and Sarika Bansal attended Basant Bahar at the Cary Arts Center. This year’s program marked 25 years of the spring music and dance celebration in Cary. 

ABA Ribbon Cutting

Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmember Michelle Craig attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Priorities ABA this week. The facility opened in timing with Autism Awareness Month to provide specialized support and services, fostering an environment where individuals with autism can thrive. This meaningful addition reflects Cary’s continued commitment to inclusivity and support for all members of the community.

Gen Korean BBQ Grand Opening

Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmember Jack Smith participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Gen Korean BBQ at Crossroads. The event not only celebrated the restaurant’s delicious food but also marked its first location in North Carolina. They chose Cary as their home in the state, because of its growing appeal as a hub for diverse culinary experiences.

State of Cary Newcomers Club

Mayor Weinbrecht delivered the State of Cary address to the Cary Newcomers Club, a group that brings together both longtime residents and those new to the area. United by their love for Cary, the club embraces the opportunity to welcome newcomers to the community. Following the presentation, the Mayor and attendees enjoyed an engaging Q&A session.

All Ages, All Stages Kickoff Meeting

Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson represented Cary at the kickoff meeting for the ‘All Ages, All Stages’ multisector plan, held by Central Pines Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA). This event marked the beginning of the first two years of implementation efforts. Councilmember Kohn-Johnson is also serving as the co-chair of the Housing and Universal Design subgroup.

Inter-Community Seder

Councilmember Lori Bush represented Cary at the Inter-community Seder, a powerful event that united representatives from various levels of government, multiple municipalities, Wake County Commissioners, law enforcement, and diverse faith organizations. Together, they engaged in a meaningful exploration of Jewish traditions, emphasizing the importance of unity and mutual respect. It was a poignant reminder of the strength found in our connections and the hope that emerges from honoring each other’s stories and histories.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Celebration Event

Councilmember Bansal attended a Kiran event featuring the talented writer Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, who shared her journey of creating impactful narratives. Kiran acts as a crucial lifeline for those whose paths forward seem insurmountable, particularly for those far from their support networks and the comforts of home. This organization provides a foundational support system for many.

Cheez-It Tour

Cheez-It crackers are made right here in Cary, more than 14.5 million crackers, or 23,000 pounds, are produced every hour at the local plant!
Earlier this week, Councilmember Lori Bush, Dr. Rebecca Corbin from the Cary Chamber, and Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton toured the facility, one of only two in the country that produce Cheez-Its. They were hosted by Kellanova representatives, including Plant Director Steve Surovec and Engineering Manager Tim Yost. The Cary plant has been proudly operating since 1987.

Economic Development in Action

This week, Cary was named the #1 Best Place to Live in North Carolina by both Niche and Consumer Affairs! These rankings reflect months of targeted national outreach by the marketing team to elevate Cary’s visibility and reputation.  This is one component of our larger economic development efforts.  The team also worked with PPA and Veolia to spotlight Cary’s leadership in infrastructure and innovation to global audiences—a reflection of strong cross-departmental work, especially from Cary’s utilities and sustainability teams. And heading into the weekend, marketing is supporting a visiting Forbes reporter covering Cary’s growing prominence in pickleball. Plus, keep spreading the word to vote for The Nest as USA Today’s 10Best Public Playground! It’s between Downtown Cary Park and The Gathering Place in Tulsa for #1. There’s no need to sign in; voting ends Monday at noon.

Upcoming Meetings

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, April 7
5:15 p.m.

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, April 7
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, April 7
6:30 p.m.

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, April 8
6:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, April 10
5:00 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, April 10
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about the Waverly rezoning proposal.
• A complaint that Realtor Open House are dangerous to homeowners.
• A request to advocate for adults with Autism.
• A request to help those with a gifted child syndrome.
• A request for information about Marigold apartments.
• A request for a proclamation noting National Tennis Month.
• A complaint that Black Creek Greenway renovation is taking too long.
• An invitation to speak at the NC State Political Science club.
• A complaint about 311, a bent pole, a sidewalk, and trucks making illegal left turns.
• A request to speak out against HHS decisions.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a TST (The Soccer Tournament) promotional video, a council work session, a council meeting, and a NC Metro Mayors meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 13^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I attempted to contact each council member to hear of any concerns about the upcoming regular meeting agenda. There were questions about some of the consent agenda items but no concerns.

Manager One-On-One

Monday evening, I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Topics included expanding the social district downtown, rezonings, and prioritizing capital projects.

Ivey-Ellington House Tour

Tuesday, I joined council member Smith on a tour of the newly renovated Ivey-Ellington House. I was amazed at the restoration and how attention was paid to the littlest details. Surprisingly the original floors, stair railing, and much of the interior was kept as original.

One interesting feature was a signature hidden in the walls from one of the plaster workers who was 19 at the time. It was dated back in the 1880s. Unfortunately, that young man died two years later.

Soon the public will be able to enjoy Cary’s newest historic downtown treasures.

Here is what Friends of the Page Walker say about the Ivey-Ellington House:

“…

The Ivey-Ellington House was one of four Cary properties individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This distinction is granted to properties that have a unique historic and architectural character and are deemed worthy of preservation for their significance to the cultural heritage of the nation.

…

Located near the former Raleigh and Chatham Railroad and constructed in the 1870’s, the Ivey-Ellington House demonstrates the diffusion of styles and ideas from urban to rural areas. It exemplifies national trends in housing reform and the popularity of architectural pattern books in the late nineteenth century.

…”

Though it was moved from its original location on Chatham Street to Academy Street in early 2023, it regained its National Register status at its new location.

Cary Downtown Park staff will be housed in the newly renovated structure that can hold up to 20 employees. They will be moving their offices there in the coming weeks. There will be a ribbon cutting event on May 18^th and it will be open to the public at that time.

Council Work Session

On Tuesday evening the council held a work session to begin going through the 193 capital projects that have been categorized as continue or a stop. These decisions will not only impact this fiscal year but the upcoming fiscal years. We will continue this process at the April 10^th work session.

Mural Unveiling at Koka Booth Amphitheater

Wednesday midday I joined council member Kohn-Johnson in the unveiling of a mural at Koka Booth Amphitheater to celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

The 25-year-old amphitheater was designed by William Rawn Associates of Boston. It is and has been a gathering place for Cary that blends with the natural beauty of Symphony Lake and its surrounding landscape. It is truly one of Cary’s greatest landmarks.

The mural was created by Sean Kernick and is known as a “Visual Translator”. That is, it mirrors both the natural beauty of the site with the vibrant energy of events that have taken place over the years. Next time you are at Booth Amphitheater make sure to check it out.

State of Cary at Carolina Preserve

Wednesday, I presented the State of Cary address to the residents at Carolina Preserve. There were about 200 attending in person and online. I was joined by district representative Bansal and at-large representative Bush. After the presentation we answered questions from the group. Since Carolina Preserve is mostly in Chatham County and Chatham County had a re-evaluation of property this year, most of their questions were related to property re-evaluation and the tax rate. After answering questions for about 30 minutes. I stayed another 30 minutes to answer questions from individuals.

Cary Water Resources 2024

Council members were provided with a report on our Water and Wastewater infrastructure on Thursday. Based on my understanding, we will continue to have capacity in both for the coming years. One interesting note is that per person daily consumption has gone from 72 gallons in 2002 to 49 gallons today. We must continue to conserve this valuable natural resource.

Council Meeting

The Cary Town Council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of March on Thursday. The agenda included 11 consent items, 3 public hearings, and 2 discussion items. Before the main part of the agenda there was a presentation from the CAP (Citizens Assisting Police). It represented all the hours volunteers performed saving police officer time. Our CAP team is one of three programs in North Carolina recognized by Volunteers in Police Service, a national initiative begun in 2002 as part of the USA Freedom Corps. CAP Team members provide a valuable service to the community by donating thousands of volunteer hours per year; providing assistance at public events, child safety seat installations, performing clerical duties and service center staffing, and promoting Community Watch programs.

The consent agenda included minutes, a rezoning at High House and Bayoak for single family housing, disposal sale of surplus property, an annexation and rezoning at Batchelor and Knotty Oaks for single family housing, the Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy, a budget amendment for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and a schedule adjustment. These were all approved unanimously.

The first public hearing was for an annexation on Davis Drive because of a well failure. This was unanimously approved. The next two public hearings were for an annexation and rezoning related to a proposal on Barbee Road for single family housing. There were several speakers in opposition. Complaints included a smell from the pump station, storm runoff concerns, traffic, and loss of rural character. This will come back to the council in a few months for a vote after it is reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board.

The first discussion item was for a $1.859 million bid award to construct traffic signals at Bond Park and High House and at Evans and Weston. The council discussed the future restrictions leaving Bond Park from the senior center that would only allow right turns. In addition, the price tag was hundreds of thousands of dollars from past traffic signals. Just one example of the skyrocketing inflation we are seeing for town projects. The council approved this item unanimously.

The last discussion item was to repair the dams at Twin Lakes. The price tag for this project was $4.432 million. There really wasn’t much of a choice in this matter, other than letting the dam fail, so it was approved unanimously.

NC Metro Mayors

Friday I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. Here is a summary of that meeting from their executive:

With the Senate’s public bill filing coming on Tuesday (March 25), this week’s Coalition call focused on many recently filed Senate bills. Over the coming week, the lobbying team will continue to review these bills and their next steps, as well as the forthcoming House bills, with their public bill filing coming next Thursday (April 3).  

The Coalition’s lobbying team and the NCLM Government Affairs team discussed multiple bills that align with the Coalition’s priority areas. Those bills included the following:

Senate Bill 394 “Prohibit Foreign Ownership of NC Land”
Senate Bill 493 “Land Use Clarification and Changes”
Senate Bill 504/House Bill 133 “NC Farmland and Military Protection Act”
Senate Bill 587 “Clarify Nonconforming Uses”

Senate Bill 688 “Local Government Land Use Reform”

Senate Bill 713 “Limit Local Gov’t Environmental Rqmt’s”

The majority of these bills have yet to be assigned to a committee, so we will continue to monitor their progress and provide updates as they become available. 

Senate Bill 493 “Land Use Clarification and Changes”, filed by Senator Michael Lee, has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and is likely to have its first hearing next week. As discussed, this bill proposes to end all municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction, and while it has been filed before, it is extremely concerning. Please communicate the importance of ETJs to your municipality and those across the state to your members of the House and Senate. 

We also discussed Senate Bill 587 “Clarify Nonconforming Uses” which was developed in consultation with NCLM, city and county attorneys, and members of the Senate staff. Please circulate the language to your city attorneys and planning departments and let us know if they have any feedback. 

Gen Korean BBQ Grand Opening

Saturday I joined council member Smith in the Ribbon Cutting for the Gen Korean BBQ restaurant in Crossroads. Their menu consists of freshly prepared meats, seafood, vegetables, and traditional Korean banchan. Gen Korean BBQ is located across America and Internationally. This was their first location in North Carolina.

Speakers at the event included their representative from the national office, me, the NC Secretary of State, and a representative from NC State. Free food was offered to the first 100 people and door prizes were also given away.

Hum Sub Basant Bahar

Sunday I joined council members Bansal and Bush at a celebration of Basant Bahar at the Cary Arts Center. Also in attending were Mayor Cawley and council member Rao of Morrisville. Here is a segment of my remarks:

“…

Basant Bahar does more than bring the colors, music, and traditions of India to Cary. It is a powerful expression of the unity and diversity that we embrace here in Cary. By celebrating our diverse backgrounds together, we pave the way for a more inclusive and united future.

…”

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

I hope you enjoy reading this week’s report. Have a great weekend!
Sean

Email Correspondence

Email Exchange – Re: Parking Inquiry – First United Methodist Church

Council Tours Ivey-Ellington

Over the last week, Councilmembers visited the Ivey-Ellington House to view the renovations of this historic structure. Staff guided them through the home, answering questions and pointing out key aspects of the renovation work. The completion of the rehabilitation work will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony and public open house on May 18.

CAP Presentation

At last night’s Council meeting, Cary was presented with a check representing the amount of money saved through volunteer hours from Citizens Assisting Police (CAP). Robin Lane, the CAP Volunteer of the Year, along with Howard Singer, participated in the presentation to the Mayor and Councilmembers.

State of Cary at Carolina Preserve

On Wednesday, Mayor Weinbrecht presented the State of Cary address at Carolina Preserve in a hybrid format, attended by over 200 people. Council members Sarika Bansal and Lori Bush were also present, participating in a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

Koka Booth Amphitheater’s 25^th Anniversary Mural

On Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmember Kohn-Johnson joined staff and media for the ceremonial unveiling of a new mural at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, celebrating its 25th anniversary season. The mayor reflected on the amphitheater’s history and its diverse programming. Councilmember Kohn-Johnson highlighted the impact of public art in shaping both the physical and social landscape, thanked the Public Art Advisory Board for its ongoing efforts, and recognized muralist Sean Kernick, who attended the unveiling.

NC Courage Kick Off 2025 Season

On Saturday, the NC Courage kicked off their 2025 season at WakeMed Soccer Park, drawing a record crowd of 8,158 fans for their match against the Seattle Reign. After the game, Mayor Weinbrecht and the Courage honored former player Jessica McDonald for her pivotal role in the team’s success, including three NWSL Shields, two Championships, and an International Women’s Champions Cup title. McDonald was inducted into the NC Courage Ring of Honor as the second member, with the mayor presenting a proclamation in her honor.

PRCR System and Bike Plan Open House

On Tuesday, staff held two open house sessions to present the draft Bike Plan and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) System Plan. Over 60 citizens attended, explored the exhibits, and shared valuable feedback on their priorities and perspectives. The online survey and feedback form will remain open through April 15.

Celebrating Forests at Cary’s Arbor Day

Last Saturday, Councilmember Michelle Craig accepted Cary’s award from the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing 42 years as a Tree City USA community. This distinction reflects Cary’s ongoing commitment to forestry management. More than 800 guests participated in environmental education, nature engagement, and community-building activities. As part of the My Tree, Our Tree giveaway event, staff distributed over 350 native trees to support the growth of the town’s urban forests.

Academy Street Maintenance

Public Works crews will power wash the brick crosswalks along Academy Street this Sunday evening. The work should be completed by Monday morning, with intermittent lane closures during the process. 

Count Me In, Cary!

At their recent meeting, the Cary Town Council unanimously approved Count Me In, Cary! Stewardship Strategies for a Sustainable Future. To keep the community informed and engaged, staff launched a new Sustainability Dashboard , highlighting Cary’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. The dashboard outlines community-defined visions, goals, and actions across six key focus areas: Energy, Transportation & Mobility, Water Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Solid Waste, and Community. As implementation begins, staff looks forward to building momentum through events, media outreach, and collaboration with new and existing partners— fostering community support and encouraging participation in Cary’s sustainability efforts.

Cary Rotary Club Staff Visit

On Tuesday, Business Services Manager Bryan Hayes and Assistant Director of Special Projects Ryan Eades visited the Cary Rotary Club at MacGregor, where Bryan presented the latest technologies used in Cary’s Traffic Management Center. He highlighted advancements such as Connected Vehicle technology, LiDAR, and radar detection, explaining how these innovations are improving traffic efficiency for Cary residents.

School Flasher Beacons Installed

Public Works and Transportation collaborated to upgrade 28 school flasher beacons in front of nine different schools around Cary to enhance connected vehicle performance and support the integration of new technologies within our traffic signal system. These beacons will improve communication between vehicles and traffic infrastructure, helping to better manage school zone traffic.

Lieutenant Brame Honored

On Monday evening, the Exchange Clubs of Wake County honored Lieutenant Bryant Brame at their annual Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet. With over 26 years of service, Lieutenant Brame has played a key role in shaping policies and best practices to combat impaired driving. As a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Instructor, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor, and member of North Carolina’s Technical Advisory Committee on Impaired Driving, he has trained more than 2,000 students in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. Join us in congratulating Lieutenant Brame for his dedication to keeping North Carolina’s roadways safe.

Inclusive Playground Series

On Saturday, the Specialized Recreation & Inclusion team kicked off the Inclusive Playground Series at Marla Dorrel Park. This fun-filled initiative, in partnership with neighboring municipalities Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Apex, shines spotlight on playgrounds designed to be universally accessible, ensuring every child, regardless of ability, can join in the fun. More than 100 families gathered for an unforgettable day of play.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – April 2

The following Neighborhood Meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m.

• 25-REZ-03 Calyx Senior Living of Cary
• 25-REZ-04 Ferrell Road Rezoning
  
  

For more information and to register visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.

Upcoming Meetings

Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, April 1
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about the Waverly rezoning proposal.
• A complaint that Realtor’s Open Houses should be stopped because “Dangers include welcoming criminals…”
• A request to include additional money in the budget for the removal of invasive plants.
• A complaint about the staff’s presentation to the Planning and Zoning board.
• A complaint about the town’s partnership with Fenton.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an interview with Jackson Robol, an event with the Cary Tennis Classic, a meeting of the Human Relations Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Board, a State of Cary address at Cary Newcomers, a ribbon cutting for a new autism learning center, a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors, PPA Pickleball Tournament activities, and a Founders Day event.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 6^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Wake County Mayors Association

Thursday I participated in a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association. Nine out of twelve mayors were in attendance. Missing were the mayors of Fuquay Varina, Holly Springs, and Wendell. Some of the topics discussed were BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) federal funding, state legislation on threatening elected officials, and postal addresses not in municipalities (Cary residents have Cary, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Apex addresses – maybe others). Our meeting lasted about two hours.

State of Cary at Templeton

Wednesday morning, I gave the State of Cary address to the residents of Templeton in Cary. There were about three dozen in attendance including the founder of Lazy Daze, Jerry Miller. Their questions included when there might be a future bond and when highway 64 will be improved. I was there for a little over an hour.

CAMPO

Wednesday evening, I represented Cary at the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) Executive Board Meeting. CAMPO is a regional transportation planning organization serving communities in Chatham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston and Wake Counties.

The agenda included seven consent items, three public hearings, and eight discussion items.

The board held a public hearing and approved the FY 2026 LAPP program. LAPP is a competitive funding program managed by CAMPO that prioritizes locally administered projects in the Region. These projects are funded using federal funding sources directly attributed to the region with a minimum 20% local match. This approval included $2 million for Cary to construct the Jenks Carpenter Road and Green Level Church Road Streetside trails.

The second public hearing was for Amendment #7 of the FY2024 – FY2033 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program). The TIP is a 10-year work program that lists regionally significant transportation projects within a Metropolitan Planning Organization planning area, including projects for all modes of transportation, and is updated every two years. This was approved unanimously.

The last public hearing was held for the FY2026 Unified Planning Work Program which is required by the federal government. This was unanimously adopted.

Regular agenda items included the FAST 2.0 Study Update – a scalable approach for integrating transit advantage infrastructure along area roadways to support better transit services, a project on the North Harnett Transit Study, a 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan analysis with deficiencies, the US 1 North Update include toll road options, changing the Executive Board meeting time, a draft of SPOT 7.0 (Strategic Transportation Prioritization Process), a draft of the FY2026 Wake Transit Work Plan, and Amendment #8 to FY2024 – FY2033 TIP.

Our meeting concluded after a little over two hours.

Cary Matters Taping

Thursday afternoon I joined council member Michelle Craig in taping an episode of Cary Matters. In this episode we highlighted Cary’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Topics discussed included the importance of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, the impact of Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival, and other environmental programs that showcase Cary’s dedication to conservation, education, and community engagement.

NC Metro Mayors

Friday I participated in a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors. Here is a summary of that meeting from the Executive Director:

On this week’s Coalition call, we focused on legislation from both chambers, which has received discussion this week. With the Senate’s bill filing deadline coming on Tuesday (March 25) and the House of Representatives’ deadline coming on Thursday, April 3, we expect a significant amount of additional bills to be released over the coming weeks. There have also been significant discussions behind closed doors regarding the budget, with House and Senate leadership beginning to determine funding parameters and address other issues.

The Coalition’s lobbying team and the NCLM Government Affairs team discussed multiple bills that align with the Coalition’s priority areas. Those bills included the following:

House Bill 47 “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I”

House Bill 298 “Local Gov’ts/System Development Fees”

House Bill 432 “Protect Our Homes Act”

Senate Bill 291 “Regulation of Short-Term Rentals”

Senate Bill 314 “Eliminate ETJ Overlap”

Senate Bill 317 “Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act”

With the exception of House Bill 47, which the Governor signed on Wednesday night, the remainder of these bills have not received committee hearings, so their future is generally unclear. The group also discussed the potential for the Senate to release language regarding a fix to the downzoning issue created by Session Law 2024-57 (Senate Bill 382) before the bill filing deadline.

On Wednesday, Governor Stein released his 2025-2027 budget recommendations. Historically, these recommendations have not received much attention from General Assembly leaders, and that is likely to be the case in this session as well. We will compile a general summary of the Governor’s recommendations and provide those for educational purposes in next week’s email. 

Continuing our two-part transportation discussions, the group discussed upcoming work on federal transportation funding. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is the current surface transportation plan signed in 2021 and appropriates monies to support highway and non-highway projects across the country. It is one in a long string of five-year funding programs. Though the IIJA is not scheduled to be reauthorized until 2026, members of Congress have intimated that they would like to approve a plan before the 2026 midterm elections, a feat which is becoming less and less likely due to the amount of time required to develop this type of bill. The group also briefly covered the current review process at the US Department of Transportation related to grant-funded projects, which could jeopardize funding for existing proposed projects.

After the discussion, Coalition members were again reminded to stay in contact with the members of their legislative delegation regarding budget and policy priorities. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Seth or any member of the lobbying team if you have any questions or gain any intelligence from your meetings that would interest the entire group. The lobbying team will continue to monitor General Assembly activities and provide updates during future Coalition calls. 

NC Courage Ring of Honor Proclamation

Saturday night I attended the NC Courage’s first soccer match of the year. After the match I was part of the ceremony honoring Jessica McDonald as the second inductee into the Courage “Ring of Honor”. McDonald received numerous accolades including three NWSL Shields, two NWSL Championships, the 2018 NWSL Championship MVP, and the inaugural Women’s International Champions Cup. As one of four speakers, I read a proclamation honoring her and had the crowd participate by saying all the WHEREASs. It was a great event, and I was proud to be a part of it.

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

I’d like to thank Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar, Budget Manager Liam Brailey, and first-time host Dana Williams, Talent and Culture Consultant, for leading a wonderful discussion recapping the Council/Staff Retreat and FY 2026 budget preparations at All Hands. Special thanks as well to the entire production team. The more we share with our employees, the better it is for everyone. Thank you, Council, for your continued interest in the creation of the FY 2026 budget.

On another note, please remember that the Waverly Place PDP rezoning is scheduled for the Planning and Zoning Board meeting on Monday night. As you may recall, this case has drawn significant citizen interest.

Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

2025 Chatham County Property Tax Reevaluation

Chatham County has completed its 2025 property revaluation process for land within its boundaries, including a small segment of properties in the Town of Cary.
A total of 2,513 parcels in Cary are impacted by Chatham County’s revaluation. The total assessed value of these properties has increased from approximately $1.1 billion in FY 2025 to $1.7 billion in FY 2026.

Based on Cary’s current municipal property tax rate of 32.5 cents per $100 of assessed value, the town is projected to receive approximately $2 million in additional revenue for FY 2026.

To assist property owners in understanding their new appraised values, Chatham County has provided the Comper website tool, which allows comparisons between assessed values and recent property sales in the market area.

Property owners who disagree with the new proposed value of their property can appeal to Chatham County, which has sole discretion in determining the final property assessments. Appeals must be submitted on or before May 19, 2025. For additional tax information, visit the Chatham County Tax Administration website or contact the Chatham County Appraisal Division at (919) 542-8211.

Wake County Property Tax Reevaluation Update

Wake County is adjusting its revaluation schedule, with the next revaluation set for 2027 and transitioning to a two-year cycle thereafter. By 2029, Wake County’s revaluation will align with those of Chatham and Durham counties.

State of Cary Address at the Templeton of Cary

On Wednesday, Mayor Weinbrecht and District C Councilmember Jack Smith visited The Templeton of Cary to present the Mayor’s State of Cary Address to its residents. The event attracted a full audience, with attendees offering insightful questions and comments following the presentation.

As the Mayor continues delivering the address across town, groups are welcome to request a visit by submitting this form. Additionally, the live State of Cary Address will take place at Cary Town Hall on April 22.

State of Women in Wake County Address

This morning, Councilmember Michelle Craig attended Congresswoman Deborah Ross’ State of Women in Wake County Address. The event featured a panel discussion with leaders covering topics such as professional and economic development, senior care, childcare, and small businesses. A networking session followed, where Councilmember Craig connected with council and staff members from Knightdale, as well as Alison Rogers, owner of Blush Cowork in Cary.

Sister Cities Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

On Sunday, Councilmember Michelle Craig joined Cary Sister Cities at Crosstown Pub and Grill for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Cary Sister Cities strives to further global understanding and relationships, with a special focus on Cary’s five Sister Cities, one of them being County Meath, Ireland.

Community Ramadan Dinner at Divan Center

On Wednesday, Councilmember Michelle Craig attended a community Ramadan dinner at Divan Center in Cary. The Divan Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the social, spiritual, cultural, and educational needs of the community. The dinner brought together community members, friends, and faith leaders from various traditions to foster greater understanding and community spirit.

Cary Branching Out Program Paused

Due to the federal termination of funding, the Cary Branching Out Program is being discontinued. The Branching Out Program was funded through the US Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry IRA grant to expand the existing My Tree, Our Tree,tree giveaway program into neighborhood tree planting, pocket forests, volunteer training, and tree care assistance programs. Working with Project Pando, we were still able to successfully giveaway over 600 trees between the two tree giveaway events scheduled over the spring with the final Branching Out event taking place at Cary’s Arbor Day celebration on March 22. Cary remains committed to the environment and will continue to engage the community in forestry education and stewardship. We will continue to explore opportunities for programming and ways to improve our urban forest canopy.

Water Resources Year in Review

The 2024 Water Resources Year in Review report is now available, offering insights into Cary’s water utility services, water and wastewater system capacities, and key historical trends. This year’s report highlights significant changes, including the continuation of reduced water consumption per capita, highlighting the community’s commitment to water conservation. The report also examines the water demand for the larger Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF) service area, emphasizing how local demand patterns affect overall system capacity and planning efforts. For a deeper dive into how these numbers relate to treatment capacity, rainfall impacts, and seasonal variations, read the full 2024 Water Resources Year in Review report.

King Street and Linda Court Infrastructure Renewal

Work on King Street and Linda Court was completed this week as part of Cary’s annual water main replacement program. A new water main was installed, and water services were successfully transferred to the new pipeline, and the pavement has been resurfaced as part of the project’s restoration. Infrastructure improvements are still in progress throughout the Oakwood Heights neighborhood. 

PRCR System Plan and Bike Plan Open House

The Bike Plan and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources System Plan are nearing completion after several years of work. On March 25, staff will host two open house sessions at the Senior Center, where citizens can drop by anytime between 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. or 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. to learn more and provide feedback before the plans are finalized for adoption into the Imagine Cary Community Plan. For more information and to submit feedback online, visit carync.gov/bikecary and carync.gov/prcrplan.

Upcoming Meetings

Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, March 24
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Tuesday, March 25
5:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, March 27
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about the Waverly rezoning proposal.
• A request from a new resident for information about town activities.
• A complaint about the lack of a traffic signal at Bond Park.
• A request to stop Palestinian protests in the Downtown Park. Adding: “A disgruntled and scared taxpayer. Discrimination is now OK if you are discriminating against a Jew. PS – We are not colonizers, and we are not all white.”

(The police chief responded, saying:

Thank you for expressing your concern.  First and foremost, I want to let you know we take such protests very seriously, having a number of protocols to ensure the safety of our citizens.   This particular group of protestors are well known to us, and we communicate with them on a regular basis to make sure they understand the legal boundaries of the First Amendment Right to free speech.

Additionally, we have officers on the ground and by cameras mounted all around the park and downtown.  We do so each time there is a protest no matter what the content.  We had several officers there for that protest.  However, the Mayor is correct that unless protestors exhibit behaviors specifically restricted by law the right to free speech and assembly is protected.  Should the behaviors exhibit violations of law we stand ready to keep the public safe.)

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a council tour of the Ivey Ellington, a council work session, a State of Cary Presentation at Carolina Preserve, a council meeting, a NC Metro Mayors meeting, and a Basant Bahar event.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 30^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Council Meeting Prep

Monday I attempted to contact all council members to understand any concerns or questions about the upcoming agenda. No concerns or questions were expressed. Later I met with the staff and reviewed the agenda.

Manager One-On-One

Monday I met with the town manager, and several staff members for my weekly one-on-one meeting. A variety of topics were discussed mostly focusing on the budget.

Cary Tennis Classic Board

Monday night I participated in a meeting of the Cary Tennis Classic Board. We discussed the impacts of our new tournament dates from June 29^th through July 6^th. Other topics included tournament logistics, events during the tournament, the ACC tournament in April, and a special event for sponsors later this month.

Youth Leadership

Tuesday morning I spoke to several dozen high school students who were participating in the Cary Chamber’s Youth Leadership. We talked about Cary’s council and our authority, leadership, and my role in local government. I then answered several questions from the group. Questions ranged from why certain homes in Cary have other municipal addresses to my biggest concerns moving forward. I was impressed with their knowledge and interest in local government.

Farmside Kitchen Ribbon Cutting

Tuesday morning I joined council member Jack Smith for the ribbon cutting of Farmside Kitchen in Waverly Place. They state the following about themselves:

“…We set out to do something different, inspired by nature and our commitment to crafting hearty, wholesome, nutritious food. Our Farmbowls are packed with healthy grains, freshly grilled proteins and tons of vegetables – made with ingredients sourced from trusted local and regional farm partners.

…

We work with local and regional farmers and purveyors who value healthy and sustainable sourcing and regenerative practices as much as we do – those who share our mission of making a positive impact in the world. We’re proud to partner with folks like Hines Family Farms and La Farm Bakery.

…

We’re a woman-led organization with a culture designed to support our team members and our guests in leading a life of wellbeing. We care most about creating enjoyable experiences for our guests through warm, welcoming service and delicious, wholesome food. We can’t wait to host you!

…”

We are glad they are in Cary and wish them great success.

State of Cary at Glenaire

Tuesday afternoon I presented the State of Cary address to about a hundred people at Glenaire. I was joined by council members Craig and Bush. My presentation was well received. Questions included affordable housing and DEI.

Macon Georgia Delegation

Wednesday, I joined members of the Cary Tennis Classic Board in hosting a delegation from Macon, Georgia including their mayor, Lester Miller. The primary reason for their visit was to see the Cary Tennis Center. In addition to showing them that we visited USA Baseball and WakeMed Soccer Park. They were very impressed with all our venues but were most impressed with our tennis center’s park like setting which is unusual for large tennis centers. Additional plans for Thursday had them visiting DPAC and the Downtown Cary Park.

They were a delightful group, and their mayor was very entertaining. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together.

Council Work Session

Thursday evening the council held a work session with topics including Chatter, Vision Zero, and Downtown Mobility Updates.

Chatter is a social collaboration platform integrated within the Salesforce CRM system, enabling real-time communication and collaboration among team members, allowing them to share updates, files, and information in a centralized space. It is currently used by staff and council member Bush. This presentation was to provide information about Chatter in case other council members wanted to use it with staff.

Vision Zero is a “strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe — and now it’s gaining momentum in major American cities” according to the Vision Zero network. It would allow Cary to use innovative designs to prevent crashes with fatalities. Some of those strategies include:

• Chicanes
• Diverging Diamond Interchanges
• Continuous Flow Intersection
• Woonerfs
• Restricted Crossing U-Turns
• Synchronized Streets (Superstreets)

Project that these strategies can be used in include:

• Signal Projects
• Sidewalk Projects
• Pedestrian Improvements Projects
• Intersection Improvements Projects
• Traffic Calming Projects
• Bicycle Projects and Studies
• Speed Limit Reduction Projects

FYI, last year Cary had 771 crashes, 96 with injuries.

Items of note from the Downtown Mobility Update presentation include:

• There are 1708 on-street parking spaces
• There are 2066 off-street parking spaces
• There are 3241 off-street private parking spaces
• Phase 1 mobility study utilizing town staff before hiring consultants
• Sidewalk/pedestrian improvements at West End Breweries
• Yield to Ped Signs on Academy Street
• No Right Turn on Red at Academy and Dry
• Pre-Planning for Road Diets for Harrison, West Chatham, and High House
• LIDAR pilot at Academy and Dry
• 4-Way Stop signs at Dixon/Willow and Dry/West
• New Sidewalks at Ivey Ellington
• Bike corrals pilot made permanent at Academy and Chatham
• Low tech flag pilot for Glenaire
• Learning, discussion, and planning among PW, PD, Transportation, Utilities, Parks, etc.

Council Meeting

Thursday night the council held its first regularly scheduled meeting of the month. Other than the consent agenda there was only one item on the agenda. A public hearing on a Yates Store Road rezoning proposes 67 detached units and 25 townhouses. Most of the speakers expressed concerns that a private road, that they had to maintain, would be connected to the new development. After the regular agenda the council spent about an hour in closed session for multiple items.

NC Metro Mayors

Friday morning I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. Here is a summary from the Executive Director:

“…

This week’s Coalition call focused on the work at the North Carolina General Assembly and previewed what is expected to occur in the coming weeks as the Senate begins its budget process in earnest. On Wednesday night, Governor Josh Stein joined legislators for his biennial State of the State address, where he presented many proposals that received bipartisan support from both chambers. 

The Coalition’s lobbying team and the NCLM Government Affairs team discussed multiple bills that align with the Coalition’s priority areas. Those bills included the following:

House Bill 50 “LEO Special Separation Allowance Options”

House Bill 244 “Depoliticize Government Property Act”

House Bill 369 “Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act”

House committees discussed House Bill 50 and House Bill 244 this week, and both received favorable reports. House Bill 244 was amended during committee discussion to add three other allowable flags. House Bill 369, which was filed on Tuesday, would restrict local governments from setting minimum numbers of parking spaces, restrict specific types of pavement sealants, and clarify the limits of local ordinances related to stormwater requirements for redevelopment sites. This bill results from a broad stakeholder engagement but has received concern from multiple other groups. 

Beginning a two-part series, the group discussed upcoming work on state transportation funding, including the release of the draft State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Additional information from that discussion is included in the “State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)” below. We accidentally skipped over a planned discussion of House Bill 364/Senate Bill 172, “STIP Grant Anticipation Notes,” which would allow local governments to borrow money to accelerate local transportation projects programmed for STIP funding. These bills resemble a similar proposal filed during the last session, which was ultimately unsuccessful. Next week, the series will focus on federal transportation funding.

The lobbying team will continue to monitor General Assembly activities and provide updates during future Coalition calls. 

State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

By statute, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is tasked with developing the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that shows how and when transportation projects are expected to be funded over the next decade. The STIP is typically updated every two years, but generally, projects scheduled in the first five years are considered “scheduled for delivery,” while those on the latter half of the schedule are funded for preliminary engineering only and are subject to re-evaluation when the next STIP is developed. 

The public comment period for the draft 2026-2035 STIP is now open and runs through April 4. We encourage everyone to work with their teams to review the draft plan to ensure you understand where projects in your area appear. NCDOT officials expect to adopt the 2026-2035 STIP in the summer of 2025. 

March Revenue Forecast

On Tuesday, the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division and the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) released their monthly consensus forecast based on data received through February. This forecast anticipates total collections in FY 2024-2025 of $34.71 billion, representing a $544 million surplus from the May 2024 forecast. The February forecast also assumes that recent economic growth will be sustained throughout the upcoming biennium, with projected collections for FY 2025-2026 forecast at $34.89 billion. More information will be provided in the coming months, with the most significant data point coming in late April after initial tax filing concludes.

…”

The following is the weekly legislative summary from Checkmate and Associates:

“…

State of the State Address

On Wednesday night, Governor Josh Stein gave his first State of the State address.  Representatives, Senators, Council of State members, Supreme Court Justices, and Stein’s cabinet convened in the House Chamber to hear his address to the state of North Carolina. The State of the State address sets the expectations and goals of the administration. Governor Stein’s speech focused on the following issues facing the state:

• Hurricane Helene recovery
• A clean energy economy 
• Work force growth 
• Affordable childcare
• Teacher pay increases and free school meals
• The housing crisis 
• Medicaid expansion
• The opioid and fentanyl crisis 
• Community college and law enforcement benefits

House Speaker Destin Hall responded to Governor Stein’s address with his policy goals for the legislature which include economic growth, hurricane recovery, investing in education, and ICE cooperation. Speaker Hall voiced his support for policies such as lowering taxes, reducing red tape for small business and housing, affordable natural gas, supporting law enforcement, and eliminating DEI. 

Disaster Recovery

The House voted to not concur with the Senate’s version of House Bill 47 , “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025, Part I.” The Senate made several changes, including the addition of funding for schools that need to utilize summer school to combat potential learning loss in students. The bill was sent to a Conference Committee, where appointed House and Senate members will negotiate a compromise. 

The Energy Security and Affordability Act

Senate Bill 261, the “Energy Security and Affordability Act”, passed through the Senate this week. S261makes changes to a bill passed by the General Assembly in 2021. Under current law, electric public utilities were required to meet a 70 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. Senate Bill 261 would eliminate the 70 percent reduction requirement from public utilities, while also allowing them to charge rate payers for new natural gas or nuclear plants while they were under construction.  The bill has been sent to the House for consideration.

…”

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

Following last night’s discussion on Cary’s utilities during the work session, Director of Learning & Organizational Development Allison Hutchins shared an internal article by Communications and Policy Advisor Kathryn Trogdon. Titled Navigating the Waters: The History of Cary’s Interbasin Transfer Strategy, itoffers valuable insights you may find informative.
Have a great weekend.
Sean

Notes from March 13^th Council Work Session

Downtown Strategic Parking Plan Update (2024)

Current Pedestrian Crossing Standards for New Construction (for all plans approved after 7/1/24):

• 2-Lane Undivided Road Crossings
• Multi-Lane/Median Divided Crossings

Delivering the State of Cary at Glenaire

On Tuesday, Mayor Weinbrecht delivered the State of Cary Address at Glenaire, joined by At-Large Councilmember Lori Bush and District B Representative Michelle Craig, who also spoke during the event.

Welcoming Visitors from Macon, Georgia

On Wednesday, Mayor Weinbrecht and the Cary Tennis Classic Board hosted a delegation from Macon, Georgia, including Mayor Lester Miller. The group toured the Cary Tennis Center, USA Baseball, WakeMed Soccer Park, and Downtown Cary Park. While they were impressed by all the venues, they were especially struck by the tennis center’s unique park-like setting, a rare feature for large tennis facilities.

“They were a delightful group, and their mayor was very entertaining. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together.” – Mayor Weinbrecht

Youth Leadership Day

On Tuesday, Cary hosted the Cary Chamber Youth Leadership Day, where students were welcomed by the Mayor and attended presentations from staff across the organization. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce, the program offers students a chance to learn about their community and build leadership skills.

Briarcliff Elementary Field Trip

On Thursday, Councilmember Michelle Craig welcomed Briarcliff Elementary School’s 3rd-grade classes for a Town Hall presentation on Cary. After her talk, IT Systems Administrator Ted Urbaniak introduced the students to the LoRaWAN network. The field trip wrapped up with a visit to Downtown Cary Park.

Downtown Cary Park Celebrates International Women’s Day

Last Saturday, Downtown Cary Park hosted HER Voice, HER Power: an International Women’s Day Event. Participants enjoyed presentations and karaoke while celebrating, uplifting, and supporting one another. Councilmember Michelle Craig joined attendees in recognizing the importance of the day and the impact of women in our community.

Governors Welcome Reception

On Thursday evening, Assistant Town Manager Shelley Curran and Assistant Director of Administrative Services Brittany Edwards represented Cary at the Raleigh Chamber’s welcome reception for Governor Josh Stein. Attendees had the chance to hear from Governor Stein about his goals for the state, as well as network with public officials and members of the business community.

The Nest Nominated for USA TODAY’S 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards

The Nest at Downtown Cary Park has been nominated for USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Public Playground. Anyone can vote once per day (no sign-in required!) now through noon on April 7.

Each vote helps showcase Cary’s world-class facility, Downtown Cary Park, as a must-visit destination for families and adventurers! 

Evans Road System Upgrade

Duke Energy crews will begin installing new underground infrastructure in the Evans Road and NW Cary Parkway area to strengthen the electric grid, making it more resilient to severe weather and enabling faster power restoration after outages. According to a flyer sent to nearby residents, work is set to begin in March and continue through summer 2025, weather permitting. The project will affect the following roadways:

• Evans Road (Weston Parkway to W. Dynasty Drive)
• NW Cary Parkway (Winfair Drive to Evans Road)
• Winfair Drive (Pebble Ridge Farms Court to NW Cary Parkway)

Celebrating Cary’s 311 on 3.11

March 11 is nationally recognized as 311 Day, and Cary 311 marked the occasion by educating staff and citizens about its unique services. Citizen advocates hosted pop-up information sessions at Cary Tennis Park and Downtown Cary Park, while Assistant 311 Director Carolyn Roman presented to the Cary Youth Leadership cohort and at the Senior Center.

Social media promotions reached over 20,000 impressions in the past week. At Town Hall, staff celebrated with cake and shared notes of appreciation with citizen advocates. Outreach will continue throughout March, including an appearance at the Open House/PRCR System Plan information meeting at the Senior Center on March 25. Residents are also encouraged to invite Cary 311 to their neighborhoods in the future.

This fiscal year, Cary 311 has handled approximately 100,000 cases via phone, email, text, web, and social media, assisting both citizens and the news media. For more on this service, check out a recent Cary Matters episode hosted by Councilmember Carissa Kohn-Johnson.

American Legion Honors Public Servants

On Tuesday, American Legion Post 67 honored three of Cary’s public safety employees at a dinner and awards ceremony:

• 2024 Firefighter of the Year: Fire Engineer Jessica Rogers, for leading the creation of Camp Ignite, a program introducing high school girls to the fire service.
• 2024 Police Officer of the Year: Officer Erick Caba, for his bravery during a high-risk incident involving a gunshot victim.
• 2024 Telecommunicator of the Year: Senior Emergency Communications Officer Jennifer Bevars, for taking on critical training responsibilities.

We are incredibly proud of these dedicated professionals and grateful to Post 67 for recognizing their service.

ITS Carolinas Public Meeting

This week, Transportation staff attended the 2025 ITS Carolinas Annual Meeting held at the Wilmington Convention Center. The conference featured 12 technical sessions covering topics such as AI applications, municipal project updates, and grant funding experiences. Transportation Engineering Manager David Spencer was honored with ITS Carolinas’ 2025 Outstanding Commitment Award and staff contributed to panel discussions on out-of-pavement technology and the future of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in the public sector.

NCWaterWARN Virtual Functional Exercise

This week, Cary’s Utilities staff participated in a statewide virtual exercise on emergency mutual aid support for NC water and wastewater utilities. Hosted by NCWaterWARN and the North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA), the event brought together representatives from various NC utilities, the NC Division of Public Safety (NCDPS), NC Division of Water Resources (NCDWR), and the EPA.

The agenda included presentations on emergency support roles from NCWaterWARN, NCDPS, and NCDWR, followed by a functional exercise simulating a winter weather event. This exercise tested utilities’ response capabilities and provided practice in coordinating mutual aid requests. It emphasized the importance of preparation, resilience, and communication, highlighting the critical role of organizations like NCWaterWARN in connecting utilities in need with those able to assist during emergencies.

Presentation to Templeton Residents

On Thursday morning, Fabian Rodriguez from Transit, Andrew Marsden from Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, and Sarah Braman from Utilities met with residents of the Templeton of Cary Retirement community to share updates on Transit, Parks, Greenways, and Utilities. The discussion was lively, showcasing the Town’s commitment to excellence and active engagement with citizens.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – April 2^nd

The following Neighborhood Meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m.

• 25-REZ-03 Calyx Senior Living of Cary
• 25-REZ-04 Ferrell Road Rezoning

For more information and to register visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.

Upcoming Meetings

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, March 19
6:15 p.m.

Greenway Committee
Thursday, March 20
6:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about the Waverly rezoning proposal.
• Questions about the progress of the Magnolia project at Harrison and Chatham.
• A thank you for my State of Cary address at Glenaire and for the work I do as mayor.
• A complaint about NC House Bill 5 which would “…make it easier for individuals who should not have firearms to carry hidden, loaded handguns…” (We have no authority in this matter)
• A complaint about the permanent railroad crossing closure at Indian Wells Road.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a State of Cary address at Templeton, a CAMPO meeting, and an NC Metro Mayors meeting.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 23^rd, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Manager One-On-One

Monday I met with the town manager, a couple of key staff members, and representatives for a development. Our discussion included development impacts and how the town might be involved.

HRID Meeting

Tuesday night I participated in a meeting of the Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Advisory Board. The agenda included Community Engagement at the Latino Festival, a presentation of demographic data, and providing translation of public safety information.

District A Meeting

Wednesday night I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson, council member Bush, council member Kohn-Johnson, the town manager, police chief, and several other staff members in a town hall meeting for District A. There was a couple dozen people in attendance. We presented data on the budget, public safety, and talked about future expectations. Some of the specific topics included the role of the council, the Cary Community Plan, the state of Cary infrastructure (Greenways, parks, town facilities, community centers), and a financial overview.  Then we answered questions from those in attendance. This is the first of what I hope will be meetings in every district.

NC Metro Mayors

Friday I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. Here is the legislative summary from Checkmate Government Relations:

This week’s Coalition call discussed ongoing activities at the North Carolina General Assembly. Though legislators’ work has continued to move slower than usual, work is underway to develop the Senate’s appropriations plan and pass multiple pieces of legislation in both chambers. 

The Coalition’s lobbying team and the NCLM Government Affairs team discussed multiple bills that align with the Coalition’s priority areas. Those bills included the following:

House Bill 47 “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I“

House Bill 92 “NC Digital Assets Investments Act”

House Bill 310 “Eminent Domain”

House committees discussed House Bill 47 and House Bill 92 this week, and both received favorable reports. House Bill 310 was filed on Wednesday and has yet to be heard in committee. The group discussed that House Bill 310 resembles bills filed in previous sessions calling for a constitutional amendment addressing eminent domain actions. 

Legislators are awaiting financial data from the fourth quarter of 2024 before setting final budget targets, though current consensus forecasts project a small surplus ($400-700 million) for the upcoming fiscal year. 

The group also discussed Governor Josh Stein’s upcoming State of the State address (Wednesday, March 12) and the legislature’s direction following the passing of both chambers’ local bill deadlines. Finally, the group discussed the potential for both chambers to choose to release large omnibus bills on topics including transportation, regulatory reform, and others as opposed to smaller, topic-specific bills we have seen in prior sessions.

The lobbying team will continue to monitor General Assembly activities and provide further updates during future Coalition calls. 

NCLM Legislative Goals

After a lengthy member-driven process, member cities and towns have chosen the Legislative Goals for the 2025-26 legislative biennium. NCLM thanks all municipal representatives who were involved in this process, whether you served on the NCLM Legislative Policy committee (including Coalition Treasurer Mayor Bill Dusch, who served as committee co-chair), took part in the numerous in-person or virtually listening sessions soliciting ideas, or assisted your city or town in the final electronic voting to select the list of 10 goals to be pursued. Here are the goals, for your consideration, in both a single-page listing and a two-page document providing context for each goal.

This process ultimately involved 197 individuals representing 154 municipalities, and that broad participation is so important as we now begin the work of seeking approval of the goals before the North Carolina General Assembly. We hope that you take the opportunity to discuss these proposals with your legislators at an appropriate time. Your involvement in NCLM’s advocacy efforts is so vital to our success.

Town Manager’s Report

Russ’ Message

It was great to see many of you engaging with citizens on important topics like updates to the Cary Community Plan and the State of Cary address at Wednesday night’s District A Information Meeting. I always appreciate these opportunities for us to connect with the community.
Don’t forget to spring forward this Sunday, enjoy your weekend!
Russ

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

On March 2, Councilmember Craig attended a Joint Eagle Scout Court of Honor at White Plains United Methodist Church for Troops 210 and 232G.

Green Hope Fine Arts Showcase

On February 28, Councilmember Craig attended Green Hope High School’s Fine Arts Showcase, which included their award winning Anon(ymous) production. These theater students are traveling to Baltimore, Maryland later in March to represent North Carolina at the Southeast Theatre Conference. 

Nancy Jones Maintenance Work Begins

This week, contractors began maintenance work on the Nancy Jones House, a Cary Historic Landmark also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, located at 9321 Chapel Hill Road. The project will take approximately two months and focuses on preserving the building’s outer structure. Planned improvements include replacing damaged weather barriers, upgrading windowsills, replacing rotted wood, and painting the refreshed areas. For more details, please visit the project webpage.

AARP Age Friendly Designation

In 2022, Cary became a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities. This prestigious designation highlights our dedication to fostering a community where individuals of all ages and abilities can thrive in a supportive environment.

Over the past several months, the Senior Advisory Board has collaborated closely with Michelle Barrett, Program Manager for Seniors and Aging, to develop the Age-Friendly Action Plan and Goals. This comprehensive plan, which will be submitted to AARP next week, outlines Cary’s strategic commitments to enhancing Housing, Transportation, and Social Connections for our residents.

Lazy Daze Wins the SFEA Green Initiative Award

The Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival was honored with the Green Initiative Award at the 2025 Southeast Festivals and Events Association (SFEA) Kaleidoscope Awards. This award recognizes the festival’s commitment to sustainability through comprehensive efforts such as our composting program, waste reduction strategies, and enhanced vendor collaboration which creates a cleaner, greener community event.

Staff Tours NCSU Compost Facility

On Monday, Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar joined Public Works and Environment staff on a tour of the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Compost Facility. The visit provided insight into best practices for receiving food scraps and other organic material in a permitted facility, as well as processing and using finished compost on campus. Seeing a closed-loop system for organics management expanded the staff’s understanding of circular options for waste and resource management.

CSX Temporary Railroad Closures

Cary has been notified by CSX Transportation that they will be in the area to perform track maintenance March 10 – 24. This work will require street closures expected to last 2-5 days. Tentative closure start dates are as follows: 

• Laura Duncan Road on March 17  
• High House Road & North Dixon Avenue on March 18 (concurrent closure) 
• Old Apex Road & N Harrison Avenue on March 19 (concurrent closure) 

Estimated closure dates and durations are subject to change due to weather. During closures, no vehicle or pedestrian traffic will be allowed to cross the tracks. Motorists should follow posted detours and plan for potential traffic disruptions during this time. Click here for more information. 

Old Apex Water Main Reinforcement Update

Starting March 10, surveying and utility locates for the Old Apex Water Main Project will begin, with construction expected to start the following week. Drivers should expect lane shifts, closures, and flaggers directing traffic in an alternating one-way flow along Old Apex Road. Click here for more information about the project.

LED Signage Update

Beginning next week, crews will start the installation of new LED enhanced crosswalk signage at eight locations around Cary as part of our regular Street Improvements project. These lighted signs are similar to the installations on Walnut Street and N. Harrison Avenue. Locations of upgrades include Two Creeks Road, Seabrook Avenue, Greenwood Circle, and Howland Avenue.

Finalize Airport Boulevard Diverging Diamond Interchange

This weekend, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), contractors, and staff will be finalizing the Airport Boulevard Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in preparation for its opening to traffic on March 10. Staff will be on-site to perform traffic signal inspections and to gather and program data for coordination plans that will need to be in place for efficient traffic flow through the five signals that have been modified for this project.

Diavolo Disc Golf Course Top 20 in the World

Cary’s Diavolo at New Hope Disc Golf Course has been ranked number 17 in the Udisc 2025 World Rankings. This course recently hosted the 2024 United States Masters Disc Golf Championship in September and draws in pro and casual players from around the globe.

Upcoming Meetings

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, March 11
6:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission
Wednesday, March 12
6:30 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, March 13
4:45 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, March 13
6:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about proposed rezoning at Waverly Place.
• A request for the town to spend more money on adults with autism.
• A request to not cut funding for WCPSS (the WCPSS school system is funded by the county and not municipalities)
• A request to reduce the town’s budget by 10%.
• A request to broker a deal with Jim Goodnight and Tim Sweeney to have a major league baseball team come to Cary and be on the old Cary Town Mall site (outside the scope of my office).
• A complaint about trash outside a dumpster at an apartment complex (apartment complexes have private companies collect their trash).

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with an Amtrak representative, a Cary Tennis Classic Board meeting, a Youth Leadership presentation, a Farmside Kitchen grand opening, a State of Cary address at Glenaire, a meeting with a delegation from Macon Georgia, a council work session, a council meeting, and a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 16^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Sallie Jones Celebration of Life

Tuesday afternoon I attended the memorial service for Sallie Jones, a life-long Cary resident and a centenarian. Here is an excerpt from her obituary:

“Sallie Ethel Jones, affectionately known as Aunt Sallie, Mother Sallie, or Miss Salie was the sixth of eight children born to the late James Henry and Emily Arrington Jones on September 3, 1924, in the family home near downtown Cary, NC.

…

Sallie Jones is a descendant of history Cary African American families where several of her ancestors were enslaved and came to Cary after the Civil War. She lived through desegregation and the Civil Rights movement and helped integrate the schools in Cary. Growing up in the Cary community, Sallie Jones was a beloved pillar of the community and the entire Town of Cary with her involvement. As an active AARP volunteer coordinator for years, this remarkable woman played a pivotal role for affordable housing and programs for seniors. She helped with plans to build Glenaire.

…

Sallie Jones was a 1940 graduate of Berry O’Kelly High School in the Method area and earned a French/English degree at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, NC. She spoke French very fluently and taught the French language in Parmele and Goldsboro, NC High Schools for twelve years. After receiving a master’s degree in French from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, France, she moved to Gary, Indiana where she taught advanced French and History at Horace Mann High School.

Sallie Jones enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to travel to 33 French-speaking countries and numerous cruises.

…

Sallie Jones made it her personal project in the 1980s to preserve the Cary First Christian Church historic cemetery dating back to the 1860s to save it from being lost. The work she began in the 1980s led to a resurgence of interest in the church cemetery in the early 2000s. With the help of volunteers from The Page-Walker Historical Society, Sallie’s tireless and dedicated efforts led to the identification of many names of people buried in unmarked graves in the church cemetery and becoming a Cary Historic Landmark and registered in the NC Archives Museum with the names of all buried there through 2002.

Sallie Jones received numerous recognitions and awards by the Town of Cary and Wake County through her work and belief in preserving what you have:

2000 – Received a bronze plaque by the Wake County Historic Preservation Commission

2021 – Key contributor to the development of the cemetery’s “Walking Tour” brochure

2022 – Honored with the Anthemion Award by the Capital Area Preservation in Raleigh

2024 – Winner of the Town of Cary’s Hometown Spirit Award

2025 – On March 22^nd for Arbor Day, a tree will be planted in her memory as well as a given plaque by the Town of Cary

…

What a journey we’ve experienced through the life and eyes of this strong Centenarian blessed only by God! …”

NCLM Town and State Dinner

Wednesday night I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson, and council member Craig at the annual North Carolina League of Municipality’s annual Town and State Dinner. It is the opportunity to talk with elected officials from all over the state and to hear from legislative leaders in the NC Senate and the NC House. In the panel discussion between NC Senate Majority Leader Berger and NC Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch the biggest point of disagreement was the economy in the next three years. Berger believed there would be continued growth. Batch pointed out that 50% of the state’s budget was from the federal government and with massive cuts she believes we might “fall off a cliff”.

State of Cary Taping (short version)

Thursday afternoon I spent a couple of hours taping a ten-minute version of the State of Cary address. This was taped inside the council chambers from a few different angles. It will be posted on the town’s website soon. I also taped an opening for a staff version of the State of Cary address which will be available for their viewing.  

NC Metro Mayors

Friday the North Carolina Metro Mayors held a weekly meeting. Here is the legislative summary from Checkmate Government Relations:

Limits to AG Power

The North Carolina General Assembly filed two bills that restrict the Attorney General’s power to engage in any litigation against a President’s executive orders. House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 58 were introduced in response to the multiple law suits that Attorney General Jeff Jackson has filed against President Trump. The executive orders being challenged include ending birthright citizenship and issues related to the creation and work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

The bills cite Article 3 section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution which provides the General Assembly with the power to prescribe the Attorney General’s duties through law. The Senate version of the bill passed through the Senate Judiciary and Senate Rules Committees this week and could be heard on the Senate Floor as early as next week. 

Mecklenburg Transportation Referendum

This week, Senate Bill 145, Mecklenburg Transportation Referendum, was filed by Senate Transportation Chair Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell) and Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick). The bill would allow the Mecklenburg County Commission to add a referendum to the ballot in 2025. If approved by voters, the referendum would provide the county with the ability to levy a one cent sales tax to fund transportation projects in the area. 40% of the funds will go to road improvements, 40% of the fund will go to rail improvements, and 20% of the fund will go towards the bus system. This would include funding the recently announced Red Line commuter rail, a project that will connect Uptown Charlotte with the northern Mecklenburg County suburbs, including Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson. 

Disaster Recovery Spending

House Bill 47, the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I” passed unanimously through the House this week. The bill includes $500M in disaster relief funds, including:

• $125M to the Department of Commerce, Division of Community Revitalization, for the Home Reconstruction and Repair Program.
• $75M to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Soil & Water Conservation to be used for natural restoration projects for farmers and to protect communities against additional flood damage.  
• $75M to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural Crop Loss Program
• $100M to North Carolina Emergency Management for the Private Road and Bridge Repair and Replacement Program. 
• $55M to the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program. 
• $20M to the Office of State Budget Management to distribute to State agencies and units of local government for debris removal unmet needs.  
• $10M for the North Carolina Emergency Management to provide grants to any member of Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. 
• $10M to the State Fire Marshal to provide funds for repairs of damage to fire stations, buildings, or vehicles used by rescue squads or emergency medical service providers.
• $10M to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, to supplement rental assistance payments. 
• $5M to the Department of Commerce for marketing towards tourism. 
• $15M to Golden LEAF to allocate to nonprofit organizations in the affected area. 

NC Border Protection Act

This week, Senate President Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) filed Senate Bill 153, the “North Carolina Border Protection Act.” S153, requires state agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Adult Corrections, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the State Highway Patrol, to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The MOA requires the agencies to cooperate with federal immigration officials and develop departmental policies for doing so. The bill disincentives agencies and public institutions, including universities, from creating sanctuary policies via immunity waivers. 

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

On Tuesday, I visited the Ivey-Ellington House with staff. They’ve worked hard to bring this remarkable home back to life and we’re excited to share it with you. Friends of the Page-Walker, members of the Historic Preservation Commission, and each of you will have a chance to tour the building in the coming months. 
The public will have a chance to tour the building during the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Enjoy your weekend.

Sean

SAS Insights

Chief Information Officer Nicole Coughlin was honored to take the stage at SAS Insights this week, showcasing our partnership with SAS and how we’re leveraging data and Internet of Things (IoT) to drive innovation. She was thrilled to share the stage with Jason Mann, Vice President of IoT at SAS, to discuss the power of smart technology and data analytics in building resilient, future-ready communities—using data-driven insights to enhance adaptability, sustainability, and long-term community strength.

Water Main Replacement Update

Starting in early March, contractors will begin replacing approximately 1,100 feet of aging 12-inch fiber cement water main with new 12-inch ductile iron pipe along Kildaire Farm Rd, between Byrum St and Shirley Dr. This upgrade will increase the reliability and longevity of the downtown water distribution system and will take approximately four months to complete.

During construction, traffic delays and shifts will occur along Kildaire Farm Rd and intersecting side streets. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should anticipate a combination of conventional and automated flaggers managing traffic, ensuring at least an alternating one-way flow is maintained.

Annual Disinfection Switchover Begins

The Cary/ Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF) will begin its annual disinfection switchover on March 1. In accordance with state and federal recommendations, each year the treatment facility switches from its normal disinfection mixture of chlorine and ammonia to free chlorine. This change, combined with the flushing of Cary’s water lines, cleanses the system and helps ensure safe, high quality water throughout the year. During the switchover period, which will last until April 10, residents and customers may notice a minor increase in chlorine odor. In areas near active hydrant flushing, water may also appear slightly discolored. This activity is part of the normal water system maintenance process and occurs in tandem with several of our neighboring municipalities. For more information, visit www.carync.gov/waterchange.

Staff Visits WRAL Station

On Thursday, Police Sergeant- Public Relations Officer Kenric Alexander, along with 311 Assistant Director Carolyn Roman and 311 Communications Specialist Rebecca Pearce toured WRAL’s station. The visit provided an opportunity to connect with the professionals behind the scenes who produce, edit, and deliver news to the Triangle.

Cary maintains strong partnerships with local media and regularly collaborates with stations to ensure accurate and timely information reaches the community. As part of this ongoing effort, Cary staff remains committed to being accessible and responsive.

AMI Updates

This year marks the 14th anniversary of Aquastar! As a result, in the coming months contractors working on behalf of Cary will be upgrading aging Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters across our utility service area, which includes Cary, Morrisville, Wake County’s portion of RTP, and RDU Airport. These upgrades will ensure continued efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in water service for our citizens and customers. 

Annual Biosolids Report

Cary’s South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF), North Cary Water Reclamation Facility (NCWRF), and Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WWRWRF) play a critical role in managing and treating biosolids through thermal drying processes. This process transforms nutrient-rich wastewater byproducts into EPA-Certified, Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids, which are then repurposed as a natural fertilizer and soil amendment. In 2024, the NCWRF and SCWRF together generated 3,481 dry tons of biosolids, while the WWRWRF produced 3,107 dry tons. These high-quality, dried biosolids—referred to as Enviro-Gems—are marketed to a vendor for use in the agribusiness sector. For a detailed overview, you can read the full 2024 Annual Biosolids Report  here.

Cary Utilities Welcomes Visitors

On Tuesday, Utilities staff from Aiken County, SC and Brunswick County, NC visited the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WWRWRF) to observe Cary’s biosolids treatment process. Aiken County representatives also visited the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) to exchange experiences with biosolids rotary drum dryer systems. Both communities are preparing to expand their wastewater treatment capabilities and came to learn from our experienced operators. These visits are part of broader collaborations on wastewater biosolids treatment that are taking place across the region.

Black History Month Highlights

Throughout February, Cary celebrated Black History & African American Appreciation Month with the theme, “Recognizing the Role of Creatives in Shaping Black History & Modern Culture.” The community enjoyed a variety of events, including a sold-out Neo Soul Jazz concert at the Cary Arts Center and films by African American creatives at The Cary Theater, which also hosted a Big Civil Rights Singalong. Art exhibitions at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center and Cary Arts Center highlighted Black history and culture, with classes inspired by influential Black artists. The Downtown Cary Park hosted a discussion on the transformational impact of Black creatives on modern culture, while the Senior Center hosted a Taste of Black History Luncheon. The celebrations concluded with the Youth Advocacy Summit at the Cary Arts Center, where youth organizations led sessions focused on service, belonging, and creative expression.

Statewide Aging Conference

Michelle Barrett, the Program Manager for Seniors and Aging, attended the North Carolina Association on Aging State Aging Conference in Chapel Hill this week. She engaged with other state leaders and received an update on the next steps for the All Ages All Stages plan. Keynote speakers, NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson and NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, addressed the conference, highlighting their dedication to protecting our aging population from fraud and scams.

Upcoming Meetings

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, March 3
5:15 p.m.

Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, March 3
6:00 p.m.

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, March 3
6:30 p.m.

Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, March 4
6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, March 5
12:00 p.m.

District A Information Meeting
Wednesday, March 5
5:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• Complaints about the proposed Waverly Place rezoning generated by a social media post asking folks to send the council emails.
• A request to make the old mall site an MLB location (the land is owned by Epic Games not Cary. We have no authority in the dealings of two private entities).
• A complaint about the tax rate.
• A complaint about the railroad crossing closure at Indian Wells Road.
• A complaint about me: “it looks more and more like old entrenched interests hiding behind ugly Soviet-era words like misinformation and disinformation, who simply don’t like the idea that somebody with an alternative viewpoint might express a different opinion…” (Wow! Really?! That is exactly opposite of how I operate. I have 17 years of council meetings to prove it! BTW, everything I do is public record and available to anyone.)

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with private investors, a HRID meeting, a short version of the State of Cary at a District A meeting, and a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 9^th, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Manager One-On-One

Monday I briefly met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our topics of conversation included a visit from the Le Touquet mayor, the death of Sallie Jones, the upcoming Wake County Mayors Association meeting and topics, and the retreat agenda.

Wake County Mayors Association

Monday night I participated in a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association. Ten of the twelve mayors were present. The only absent mayors were Knightdale, due to an illness, and Wake Forest, who was giving her annual address.

We heard a presentation from a representative of the Wake County Cultural Arts. The mayors discussed several topics including the CAMPO-GoTriangle money dispute, zip codes, budgets, and NCDOT. Concerns were expressed about losing federal money for projects.

Council Work Session

Tuesday night five of seven council members attended a work session in the RTIC (Real Time Information Center). We got to see how our police and fire departments remain on the “cutting edge not the bleeding edge” in their technology. They demonstrated how they used existing devices and data with AI can provide real-time assistance to officers in the field. Body cameras, traffic cameras, and other cameras can be used in the command center to see the situation. Of course, no private camera is used without permission. But a private individual can be sent a text so that their phone camera can be used if they wanted to help. This has proven effective in quickly assessing a situation and providing the correct response. There were many examples that were shown in how this was used. In one example, an autistic child riding away from home on a bicycle was found within minutes using real-time cameras.

Snowstorm #2

Wednesday evening and overnight Cary experienced its second snowstorm of the winter. Most of Cary had two to three inches. I am proud of Cary’s A-team response. By noon on Thursday Cary’s roads were wet but clear. By Thursday afternoon they were dry. I don’t know of any other municipality in the region that had that kind of response. A big thank you to all the public works folks who worked throughout the night.

Public Works ARE the Best!

While the snowstorm was in progress, our public works department was collecting trash, recycling, and yard waste. They were notified that the landfill would be closed Wednesday at noon through Thursday and open Friday. This meant that all trash collected on Wednesday would have to remain in the trucks until Friday, then disposed of at the landfill, and then they could collect trash on Friday. On Thursday night they were notified that the landfill would not open until noon which meant they couldn’t empty their trucks and do routes on Friday. Due to the great partnerships our staff has, they got permission to empty their trucks in Sanford and a private convenience center so they could do Friday’s routes. And it was done at basically the same cost. This is just another example of why Cary’s public works department is the best of the best.

North Carolina Metro Mayors

The North Carolina Metro Mayors met on Friday. Here is the legislative summary from Checkmate Government Relations:

Bill Filing

Bill filing is underway at the North Carolina General Assembly. So far, the House has filed 151 bills, and the Senate has filed 116 bills. The bill filing deadline is approaching in both the House (March 6) and the Senate (February 27). Bills that are not impacted by the bill filing deadline include: 

• Redistricting bills for the House, Senate, Congress, or local entities
• Ratification of amendments to the Constitution of the United States
• Bills providing for action on gubernatorial nominations or appointments
• Appointments by the General Assembly
• Adjournment resolutions
• Bills proposing amendments to the North Carolina Constitution
• Statutory changes necessary to implement State constitutional amendments
• Bills addressing election laws.
• Bills introduced on the report of the House Committees on Appropriation, Finance, or Rules

Crossover Deadline is currently set for Thursday, May 8, 2025. For a non-appropriations bill to be considered in the biennium, it must pass through its chamber of origin by this date. 

Hurricane Helene Recovery Bill

Due to the impending inclement weather, the House canceled floor and committee votes this week. House Bill 47, “The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I,” is expected to receive a House floor vote next week. This bill includes additional appropriations for disaster relief and appropriates $500M for road and bridge repair, farmland repair, home repair, and debris clean up. 

NC Innovation Funds

NC Innovation was founded in 2020 to help provide researchers at Universities across North Carolina with funds for projects that may lack the immediate return on investment private investors require. Last year, the North Carolina Senate proposed appropriating $1.4B to the organization. During budget negotiations, the House and Senate agreed to send the organization $500M. 

This week, a group of legislators filed House Bill 154 that requires NC Innovation to pay back the $500M in full. The legislators cited the unforeseen catastrophic weather events our state suffered at the end of 2024 and the impending budgetary needs to fund recovery. 

Council-Staff Two Day Working Retreat

The council and several dozen staff members met all day, Friday and Saturday, at a Cary location for our annual working retreat.

Friday started with an icebreaker contest about Cary facts:

• Cary’s population in 2025 is 191,000.
• The average age of Cary residents is 39.6.
• Cary staff maintains 518 miles of streets.
• Cary staff maintain 145 facilities.
• The Cary police department has 198 officers.
• Cary has 200 miles of fiber.
• Cary staff maintains 228 signalized intersections.
• Cary has 700 vehicles in its fleet.
• Cary has 105 miles of greenway.
• It takes $221.2 million of General Fund to support daily operations.

The manager opened the retreat with a presentation that included:

• Town Council Value Choices:

• Is maintaining an AAA rating a priority?
• Is maintaining a low tax rate a priority?
• Is maintaining existing services and infrastructure a priority?
• Is adjusting our existing and future capital program expectation a priority?
• Community acceptability of all the above

• Three Objectives for the retreat: budget/framework/trends, draft multi-year framework model, capital budget thinking
• 14% of Cary’s population is over 65
• 25% of Cary’s population was foreign born
• 29% of Cary is working from home
• “As Cary runs out of land for development and enters a new phase of slower growth in the next 10 to 20 years, the Town could experience a declining rate of revenue growth.”
• Influx Subsidy ERA is Over – Yet the Built Environment remains and is aging & along with our residents
• You can’t have stable services, low density, and low taxes together.
• Stable services with low density mean higher taxes.
• Stable services with low taxes mean more density.
• Low density and low taxes mean cuts in services.

The next presentation focused on the LIVE chapter of the Cary Community Plan. Here are some notes that I took away from that presentation:

• Our Values
  • Maintain and enhance existing residential fabric buildings with strong design
  • Create new sustainable mixed-use neighborhoods
  • Include additional residential choices for variety of lifestyles, ages, cultures, income
• Competing Goals
  • High Property Values vs Affordability
  • Preservation vs Evolution
  • Suburban Character vs Densification
  • Redevelopment vs Additional Supply
• Rehabilitation and Preservation: over half of homes were built before 2000 with most near Cary’s core where incomes are lower on average
• New Home Production: Residential market remains strong with potential demand for a balanced mix and additional 1,975 homes per year
• Household Stability: Households are cost stable. Lowest income residents are experiencing high-cost burden, increasing vulnerability to housing instability
• 38,221 of Cary’s 70,780 homes were built before 2000.
• Oldest homes are largely in downtown Cary and south/southwest
• Old housing occupied by households with lower income on average
• Cary’s existing housing supply is 73% single units and 27% multi-family housing
• Median price for homes on the market is $620,000
• Multi-family rental housing is averaging $1720/month
• 5% of Cary households are below the federal poverty level
• The average household size is 2.61
• 29% of Cary households are non-family
• By 2040 there will be demand for an additional 39,500 new homes in Cary
• By 2040 there will be demand for an additional 948 multi-family units and 1027 single-family units (some of which could be attached)
• Cary added 443 multi-family units in FY2024 and 996 in FY2023, which is well below the five-year average
• Goal is to encourage a balanced mix of future housing
• Housing stability has proven to provide a lower crime rate, a higher employment rate, a higher graduation rate, a higher generational wealth, a greater social connection, and improved mental health
• Those that are housing cost-burdened experience food insecurity, a health and well-being impact, higher divorce and parental stress, lower generational wealth, and housing instability & homelessness
• Cary median home price is $620,000 which requires $180,000 of income
• Cary currently has Stable Homes Cary, Journey Home Program with The Carying Place, and other partnerships to increase affordable opportunities

The next presentation focused on the SHAPE chapter of the Cary Community Plan. Here are some notes that I took away from that presentation:

• Cary is evolving. This includes demographics and development patterns. As Cary runs out of land there will be more infill and redevelopment.
• As Cary runs out of land for development and enters a new phase of slower growth in the next 10 to 20 years, the Town could experience a declining rate of revenue growth.
• The Imagine Cary Community Plan describes what we are experiencing today.
• The Future will be different from the past. Imagine Cary articulates the Town’s vision and values to set the course for achieving Cary’s desired future.
• On average, 80% of new revenue growth comes from new tax base to the Town. As growth slows due to limited land for development, new revenue generation models will be needed to maintain the level of service residents have come to expect.
• Per capita income in Cary is $63,806
• Cary has 110 detached single units and 127 attached single units under construction
• There are currently 1,521 multi-family units under construction
• There are currently 1,462,926 square feet of non-residential under construction
• In 2015 Cary had 18% of undeveloped land. Today that is 14%. There is 12.4% in the pipeline
• With both limited land for development and the presence of aging commercial and residential developments, the Town faces a changing paradigm where new projects will increasingly come in the form of infill development and redevelopment of existing properties.
• There are many properties in Cary where the land value is greater than the structure’s value. For example, inside the Maynard loop and MacGregor.
• There were 67 teardown and rebuilds from 2018 to 2025
• The One Walker property had a value of $306,867 in 2010. It is now worth $56,472,692
• 120 and 124 Urban Street had a value of $227,561 in 2010. It is now worth $2,401,088
• Cary’s Business Improvement District has an assessed value of $500 million with around 35% of the land exempt from taxes. It was established in 2012
• Cary needs to upgrade major water lines on Kildaire which gives us an opportunity to transform Kildaire into a vibrant, walkable, urban mixed-use corridor

The last item on Friday was a driving tour of District D with Cary council, staff, and public in attendance. We visited Parkside Town Commons, Alston Yards, Park Overlook, Amberly, Earnest Jones, Diavolo at New Hope, the American Tobacco Trail, Destin, the future White Oak Park, Duke Health, Virdis, Bell Canto, Thomas Brooks Park – USA Baseball, Mills Park School and compost site, McCrimmon Neighborhood Park, Carpenter Fire Station Park, and Alston Regional Destination Center.

The first presentation on Saturday focused on the SERVE chapter of the Cary Community Plan. Here are some notes that I took away from that presentation:

• Cary is recognized nationally as a service leader.
• The level of service and priorities are determined by the council.
• The SERVE values are equitable and inclusive governance, high-quality public services, and comprehensive and top-quality facilities and infrastructure
• Cary’s population is projected to be 270,000 by 2040.
• Cary’s demographics in 2040 are projected to be 45% white, 5% black, 25% Asian, and 15% Hispanic
• Since 2017 Cary has added 30 miles of street maintenance, 47 miles of sidewalks, 29 miles of greenways, 132 miles of water mains, 81 miles of sewer mains, 13 miles of stormwater pipes, 85 miles of fiber, 23,632 hours of public transit. It has seen the median home price go from $356,800 to $647,748. The median household income has gone from $99,209 to $125,000.
• Operational demands for maintaining the level of service, infrastructure, and facilities include:
  • Maintenance of roads, utilities, and public buildings
  • Expanding smart systems for waste and traffic management
  • Renewable energy initiatives for town facilities
  • World-class facilities and competitive programming
• Construction challenges include supply chain issues, inflation, market driven industry, skilled labor, and availability of materials
• Raw Material Costs in the last 5 years:
  • Rebar $52 to $119.76 (130%)
  • Asphalt $428.05 to $550.00 (28%)
  • Concrete $150.45 to $215.00 (43%)
  • Sidewalk Construction $20 linear foot to $60 linear foot (200%)
  • Street Resurfacing $12.25 sq yd to $16.85 sq yd (38%)
  • Sanitation truck regular $299,317 to $416,496 (39%)
• Fire and police additional demands since 2017
  • 6,427 single family units
  • 5,871 multi-family units
  • 7,589,221 sq ft of commercial space
• Cary Fire Department remains an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 and internationally accredited agency, 1 of 121 departments nationwide to hold both
• Fire responses since 2017 are up 59.76%
• Cary provides high-level fire services following national consensus standards
• Past investments have allowed the fire department to maintain current service levels
• Continuous investments will be needed to maintain response model service levels
• Cary remains one of the safest communities in the nation
• Cary police experience operational impacts including increased calls for service, special events, emergency response times, growth in 3 counties, time to hire and train, space for evidence, training, and storage, and future capital improvements
• In the last 5 years property crime has been up and violent crimes are down.
• Most property crimes are crimes of opportunity like leaving doors unlocked.
• Challenges to our IT include rising cyber threats, potential breach incidence, regulatory framework, and protecting sensitive data
• IT opportunities for the future:
  • Enhancing municipal services with real-time data and automation and data management
  • Pedestrian and bicycle counters, drones, smart meters, and stormwater sensors
  • LoRaWAN network deployment for IoT Connectivity and efficiency
  • Integrating AI and IoT to create a sustainable, intelligent urban ecosystem

The last two presentations on Saturday focused on Budget Prioritization. A lot of the presentation material was educational material about budgets. Here are some notes that I took away from those presentations:

• 80% of our General Fund revenue is from property tax and sales tax.
• Cary’s assessed value from reevaluation went from $36 Billion to $52 Billion
• Property and sales tax revenue are growing much slower and are basically flat.
• 71% of our expenses are Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks, and the general government that supports all services. Those expenses impact our tax rate the most.
• Cary is in maintenance mode. Staff recommend continuing projects that are mandated, maintain existing infrastructure, and underway and at a point where it’s difficult to stop. Staff recommend stopping projects that are cost-prohibitive or haven’t begun or at a point where work can be stopped.
• Cary needs recurring funding of $5 million a year to replace critical technology and maintain Cary facilities.
• Cary currently has 1328 full-time employees that make up 53% of the budget. A 1% cut would result in eliminating 14 employees.
• Cary’s fund balance policy (savings) is set at 33.3% of the operating budget. A 1% reduction in policy is $2.8 million.
• The Fund Balance:
  • Avoid Local Government Commission warnings
  • Help protect credit rating and obtain lower interest rates on borrowings
  • Cash flow
  • Avoid short-term borrowing
  • Reserve for emergencies, unforeseen events, and unexpected opportunities
• Cary’s debt service policy is to stay under 20% of operational expenditures. We are well under that. $10 million of debt is about $1 million in recurring debt service.

My takeaways:

I believe this retreat marks the start of a new chapter for Cary. The days of enjoying the highest quality of life with the lowest tax rate in Wake County are behind us. With flat revenue growth and rising expenses, both the council and citizens will face a crucial decision. Will we opt for higher taxes moving forward, or are we willing to accept no longer being the best of the best? It’s important to recognize that being the best often impacts critical services, such as fire and police, where it could literally mean the difference between life and death. The dialogue between staff, the council, and the public will continue over the coming months, with the budget set for approval on June 26th.

Waverly Place Rezoning

There was an email campaign launched against the council by people opposing the Waverly Place rezoning. It included comments like “You should be ashamed of yourselves for even considering this rezoning” and “I don’t have faith that you care about anything other than making money.”

Due to the number of emails I had to do a cut-and-paste response to try and address them all:

“…

Misinformation about rezoning

Some information and statements sent to me are incorrect. You can find factual information here.

Who is proposing

This is not a council proposal it is a proposal from the applicant who is the owner of Waverly Place. The owner/applicant is HGIT (Hines Global Income Trust). FYI, they were partners in building Fenton.

The Applicant Doesn’t Care and is Trying to Make Money

While a rezoning doesn’t go with the applicant but the location, the applicant in this case lives in Cary and plans to remain here.

Why are we allowing this

We aren’t “allowing” anything but are reviewing. The mayor and council have a sworn duty to review all applications. Our job is to determine if the request matches the Cary Community Plan. That plan was created by Cary citizens over a three-year period, approved by council in 2017, and an update was approved this year. That is what guides our development.

There are too many apartments

The type of use in certain areas is determined by the Cary Community plan.

Cary is over 90% built out. The remaining land is hard to develop because of topography and other reasons. That means future requests we see are mostly redevelopment. Shopping centers will see redevelopment. More on that later.

Land in Cary is VERY expensive. For Instance, almost all homes inside the Maynard Loop, most in MacGregor, and some in other areas have land that is worth more than the structure. So, to make projects viable applicants increase density.

The region is short on housing supply. There is great demand for all types of housing including apartments.

Those are the reasons we are seeing multi-family proposals. But again, it must match the Cary Community Plan which was created by Cary citizens. That is why there are mostly apartments being proposed.

The Future of Large and Medium Shopping Centers

The future of large and medium shopping centers looks bleak. Why? Shopping habits have changed (including mine). It is much easier to order something online and have it delivered to your front door rather than going to a shopping center.

Building Height

There will be balloons floated on Tuesday, February 25^th. This will allow everyone to see from all directions what the maximum building height would look like. Living close to the area I believe it will not be visible from Lochmere but will be seen on Tryon Road and Kildaire Farm. Of course, the building height is similar to the hospital across the street.

Stormwater

This was a concern of mine that I mentioned at the public hearing especially since they were grandfathered in. It is my understanding that the applicant has added conditions that will make stormwater mitigations so that after development the stormwater situation would be as good or better than it currently is .

Traffic

Cary used to have an ordinance that required road capacity before development. Makes sense right? Well, court cases showed that was an extremely risky ordinance so it was removed. The roads adjacent to Waverly are at their maximum widths. Any improvements would likely be in the form of turn lanes. As far as road improvements, we can’t require much from the developers. While you can deny a rezoning based on traffic, doing so in a location where both roads are at their maximum widths is a big risk.

Tryon and Kildaire Farm Road are both state roads. That is unfortunate since state funding is already lacking and federal funding will likely have additional funding cuts. I doubt you will see improvements on those roads any time soon, but I am hoping I am wrong.

Most of the traffic on Kildaire and Tryon is pass-through. That means people are not originating or terminating at Waverly. That also means that future traffic will get worse no matter what happens at Waverly. Why? This region, not only Cary, will see significant growth in the next ten to twenty years.

You are doing this to make money

I will ignore how insulting that is and speak to the men and women who make up the council and staff.

Cary is blessed to have some of the finest men and women serving on the council. They have a wide variety of backgrounds including IT, business owners, and retirees. I have seen MANY different councils around the country (in my consulting job) and there is nothing that compares to Cary.

Cary council members make around 12K a year, the mayor pro-tem a little more, and the mayor around 15K. So no, we don’t make money off anything.

Our staff was ranked the #1 government a couple of years ago.  They are by far the best of the best

What’s next?

It will go to the Planning and Zoning board, a council appointed advisory board, for their review and recommendation as to whether this meets the Cary Community Plan.

It will come to council in a few months for a vote. If it passes, then staff will review site plan submittals. If it fails, then they have to wait a year to resubmit another request.

It is important to know that they have the right to redevelop certain uses now without any council vote. For example, they could build a Dollar General. I certainly don’t want that.

I think it is in everyone’s best interest to work with the applicant.

IMHO, this and all shopping centers will need to consider redevelopment or die. If they die, then we risk blight and crime. We have seen MacGregor Village struggle. We are currently seeing the shopping center with Big Lots suffer. That will be an interesting one to watch. Of course, the Cary Town mall died and was bought by EPIC. They tore it down and currently have no proposals to do anything with the land.

I hope this information is helpful. I would encourage you contact Katie.Drye@carync.gov if you have any questions.

…”

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A complaint that we need to “right size our local government”.
• A complaint that Cary did not brine a cul-de-sac.
• A complaint that DEI is supported in WCPS. And that “Democrats lost by a landslide for a reason”. And that WCPSS support of DEI will cause them to lose federal funding.
• A request to “do everything in your power in NC to resist Trump in any way you can.”

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, the funeral for Sallie Jones, a taping of Cary Matters, a North Carolina League of Municipalities state dinner, a State of Cary taping, and a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 2^nd, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.

Manager One-On-One

Monday I briefly met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our topic was about the 2019 bond projects and the upcoming reprioritization of capital projects at the retreat.

Cary Tennis Classic Board

Monday night I met the Cary Tennis Classic board. We talked about the dates for our professional tournament which have been set for June 29^th through July 6^th. It will be a combined men’s and women’s event. We also talked about events leading up to the tournament and events during the week of the tournament. Other topics included sponsorship and how to show appreciation and get them involved.

Economic Development

Wednesday night I joined Mayor Pro-Tem Bryson-Robinson and council member Jack Smith for the Economic Development Committee meeting. The agenda included presentations and discussions on marketing Cary, development updates, and the Cary Chamber’s quarterly report.

Here are some notes from the marketing presentation:

• 2025 Goals of marketing team
  • Increase regional, national, international investments
  • Higher-profile sports and entertainment events
  • Increase regional visitation
• Performance Indicators Used
  • Web traffic to venues
  • Social engagement outside NC
  • Downtown visitation
  • Economic Development website traffic
• Marketing team’s work with chamber
  • Data-backed marketing efforts, CaryED.com
  • Storytelling
  • Updating Economic Development materials
  • Supporting ED with pitches and paid advertising
• TST (The Soccer Tournament)
  • $15 million in economic impact last year
  • Goal: to increase attendance to support return in future years
  • Focus on travel markets: Atlanta, NYC, Charlotte, Wilmington, D.C.
• Koka Booth Amphitheater celebrates its 25th anniversary this year
• Naming Cary C A R E Y on November 1^st was a huge exposure across the country
• Cary was one of the Christmas webcams from around the world
• The CEO magazine will feature our Public Works Director Matt Flynn
• Some of the unique things Cary is known for today
  • Fortnite – Epic Games
  • Golf – SAS Championships
  • Umstead – Top hotel in NC
  • Cheez-Its – Most made in Cary

Here are some takeaways from the development update:

• Development patterns remain consistent with Imagine Cary
• Projects are clustered in large developments, very small projects, and Downtown
• Multi-family interest continues to be strong
• In 2015 Cary had 18% undeveloped land, in 2024 Cary had 14%, there is 12.5% in the pipeline
• In Q2 (October – December) there were 20 cases seeking rezoning and 1 approved (South Hills). No approvals in Q1
• In Q2 4 rezoning cases were submitted (Trinity Road PDD, Weston PDD, Wake Western Regional, 420 South Harrison)
• Rezoning conversion rate is around 14% which is consistent with the last 5 years
• Site plans approved by staff included 49 townhomes and 126 multi-family units
• Site plans for Q2 were the lowest in years
• There were 55 residential permits issued in Q2 which is the lowest in years
• There have been 200 single unit permits issued so far this year, which is the lowest in at least the last 35 years.
• A large development called Alston Yards, at Highway 55 and O’Kelly Chapel, was approved
• Imagine Cary Community Plan 2024 Update was approved

Here are some takeaways from the Cary Chamber’s Quarterly report:

• Unemployment as of December 31^st: Cary 2.5%, Wake County 2.9%, NC 3.7%, and US 4%
• Flex-Light Industrial product development: 65,000 sq ft should begin construction this spring on Northgate Court
• The Dow, up 12.88% last year, shows favorable market conditions
• Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected to be down to 3.75% to 4% by the end of the year.

North Carolina Metro Mayors

Friday I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. Here is a summary of Legislative Action from Checkmate Government Relations:

Helene Relief Continued

Members of the House continue to advance House Bill 47, the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I.” The House Select Committee on Helene Recovery met to amend sections of the bill. These changes focus on appropriating money towards homes, farmlands, private bridges, and road repairs. The Appropriations Committee approved these changes, and the bill has been sent to House Rules, where it could receive a hearing as early as next week. 

The House Finance Committee met to discuss House Bill 48.  This bill expands Executive Order 322 issued by former Governor Roy Cooper. The Order is set to expire on March 1, 2025, and primarily dealt with Unemployment Benefits during the Hurricane Helene Disaster. H48 increases the cap of maximum benefits under current unemployment law to $450 and adds an employer a tax credit for unemployment tax on wages paid in 2025.

Digital Currency Bill

House Bill 92, the “NC Digital Investments Act,” was filed by new Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) along with Representative Ross (R-Alamance) and freshman member Representative Schietzelt (R-Wake). This bill allows the North Carolina State Treasury Department to invest in certain digital assets but sets strict standards and guidelines for these digital investments.  

Senate Passes Health Insurance Bill

Senate Bill 24 passed a floor vote in the Senate this week with a 30-15 vote. The bill requires any new mandate in the State’s health insurance plan to be offset by repealing an existing mandate. Senate Bill 24 requires disclosure that any additional mandates do not cause an increase in costs in the State’s health insurance plan. The bill next moves through the NC House of Representatives.  

Town Manager’s Report

Sean’s Message

It’s been a productive week, especially as we prepare for the retreat. We’ll send out the agenda early next week, and the staff and I look forward to seeing you there.
Since we’ll all be together next Friday, there will be no weekly report on February 21.
Finally – and most importantly – Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

Enjoy your weekend.
Sean

Jordan Lake One Water & US Water Alliance Meeting

On Thursday, Councilmember Lori Bush and staff attended the One Water – One Vision meeting, co-hosted by the Jordan Lake One Water Coalition (JLOW) and US Water Alliance. Held at RTI International, the event brought together water stakeholders from across North Carolina to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions for water challenges in the Jordan Lake watershed. Attendees represented a range of sectors, including stormwater, drinking water, wastewater, agriculture, and land conservation.

As JLOW Chair, Councilmember Bush shared insights into the organization’s history and key achievements. Later, Betsy Drake from the Utilities Department presented Cary’s efforts to optimize water treatment, specifically its work on PFAS treatment and mitigation at the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility.

NCDOT’S Draft State Transportation Improvement Plan

NCDOT has released a draft update to the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) for review and comment. The STIP is updated every two years, identifying funding and schedules for NCDOT projects over a 10-year period from 2026-2035. In this year’s draft, there are changes to timelines for eight NCDOT projects in Cary . NCDOT is taking public comments on the recent updates through April 4 and a finalized version will be approved by the NC Board of Transportation in Summer 2025.

My Tree, Our Tree Has Branched Out

My Tree, Our Tree is branching out this spring with two opportunities to receive a free tree. The first event took place last Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park, where hundreds of Cary residents picked up saplings and learned about tree care.
Thanks to a partnership with community nonprofit Project Pando, our 2025 trees have been sourced from local seeds, are sized for easier maintenance, and grown to maximize future life expectancy. New in 2025, our pickup events now feature hands-on tree planting demonstrations, a Q&A with certified arborists, and nature-themed activities for children.
Through this innovative environmental initiative, more than 200 trees will find homes on private properties across town. The second giveaway will be held during Cary’s Arbor Day celebration on March 22.

The Cary Cup

Cary, with the support of The Soccer Tournament (TST), is proud to announce The Cary Cup, the nation’s first 7v7 youth soccer tournament featuring TST’s revolutionary Target Score Time™.
Taking place at premier sports venues in the Cary area from June 6-8, this groundbreaking event will offer a festival-like atmosphere and include TST tickets for youth players, discounted tickets for players’ families, and a free shuttle to TST. Teams will compete for a spot in The Cary Cup finals, which will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park on the same fields as TST’s biggest stars and celebrities.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – March 5

The following Neighborhood Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

• 25-REZ-05 6708 Bandelier Lane Rezoning

For more information and to register visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.

Upcoming Meetings

Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Tuesday, February 18
 5:30 p.m.

Public Art Advisory Board
Wednesday, February 19
6:15 p.m.

Town Council Meeting (Annual/Retreat Meeting)
Friday, February 21
8:30 a.m.

Town Council Meeting (Annual/Retreat Meeting)
Saturday, February 22
8:30 a.m.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A recommendation that Cary should have a DOGE because of the “recent election Mandate”, “cancel the electric garbage and fire trucks”, a “reduction in building and inspections”, “cancel the DEI dept.”, and “what happened to Mayberry”.
• A complaint about a permit taking too long.
• A request to know what I am “actively doing to protect the citizens of Cary from Trump’s abhorrent discriminatory, and illegal actions.”
• A request to hold a hackathon.
• A complaint that a part time contract employee that works “underrepresented minority communities” cannot be a full-time employee.
• A request to offer developers incentives “to build even time home rentals”.

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association, a meeting with congresswoman Foushee, a council work session, a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Executive Board, and the annual council/staff retreat.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, February 23^rd, 2025. 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@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.