City Council Update (June 18th, 2024)
WORK SESSION - 11:30 AM
Call to Order
Raleigh Parks Plan Update
The plan, adopted in 2014, is being updated to reflect current community priorities and align with the city's plans and policies.
The update includes equity in the park system standards, park access level service standards reporting, and developing implementation action items. Public participation opportunities, such as community workshops, online surveys, and social media newsletters, have been conducted throughout the project, with the Parks Board also closely involved.
A fee study and policy update will be brought to the Council later in the Fall for the FY26 budget planning.
The Guiding Principles for the implementation plan have been refined to reflect community opportunities and needs.
The workforce includes a significant number of part-time employees, and the city aims to strengthen the invasive species removal program and invest in aging facilities.
Closed Session
Open Session
Return to Open Session
REGULAR SESSION - 1:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognition of Special Awards
Meet Us at The Square Event
Initiated as a challenge from the city manager to connect people to resources in the community.
The event saw over 500 attendees and 35 vendors.
Consent Agenda
Consent Agenda Process
Consent Agenda Passed with one item pulled (8-0)
Authorization - City Manager to Execute Certain Documents and Permits - Fire Station No. 1 / Fire Administration / Back-up E911 and Raleigh Police Department Evidence Facility Projects
Municipal Service District - Blue Ridge Corridor - Ordinance - Second Reading
Postponed due to a need for further stakeholder engagement.
Council Vote: 8-0
Report - Matters Resolved and Closed
Consent Agenda - Petition Annexations
Petition Annexation (Deferral)- AX-08-24 Contiguous, Inside ETJ (Partial) - 12221 Strickland Road (District A)
Consent Agenda - Requests for Public Hearings
Annexation Agreement - Town of Garner
2021-25 Consolidated Plan and FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan - Substantial Amendment - Authorize Public Hearing
Consent Agenda - Grants
Federal Aviation Authority Grant Offer - Raleigh Durham Airport Authority - Final Design Terminal 2 Expansion
Consent Agenda - Contracts and Consultant Services
Professional Services – GoWake/GoRaleigh Access Transit Facility- Arcadis
Professional Services – Barwell Road Improvement Project – TranSystems Corporation – Contract Amendment No. Four
Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On Call Engineering Services – AECOM Technical Services of North Carolina Inc. - Amendment No. Three
Professional Services - Master Services Agreement for On Call Engineering Services - Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. – Amendment Number Two
Professional Services - Six Forks Road Corridor Improvement - Rummel, Klepper, & Kahl (RK&K) - Contract Amendment No. Two
Contract Services – Janitorial Service at Various City Locations – Environmental Service Systems, LLC – Amendment No. Four
Contract Services – School Resource Officers – Wake County Board of Education
Consent Agenda - Encroachment Requests
150 Fayetteville Street - Canopy Lighting
1220 Hedgelawn Way - Walkway
Consent Agenda - Budget Amendments and Transfers
FY2024 Operating and Capital Improvement Wrap-Up Budget Ordinances
Adoption of the FY2025 Employee Compensation and Benefits
Consent Agenda - Bids
Bid Award – Studios at 2800 Brentwood Phase I Critical Repair Project – Salisbury and Moore Construction, Inc.
Consent Agenda - Traffic
Speed Limit Reductions
No Stopping No Standing Zone – Parrish Manor Drive
Traffic Schedule Updates – Dawson and McDowell St. Resurfacing Project
Traffic Schedule Updates
Public Comment
Rules of Decorum for Public Comment
Voice Mail Public Comment
Report and Recommendation of the Planning Commission
Planning Commission Report
Rezoning Z-83-22: Hillsborough Street and Turner Street, west of the intersection between Hillsborough Street and Turner Street (District D)
Planning Commission voted 5-3 to recommend approval.
Council Member Harrison motioned that the public hearing not be scheduled at that time, as changes are being made.
Passed unanimously.
Rezoning Z-07-24: 500 Rawls Drive; North of Poole Road, between Rawls Drive and Warren Avenue
Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval.
Council voted to hold public hearing in July.
Text Change TC-4-23: Digital Billboards
Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend no action be taken until further analyses are complete.
Council Member Forte motioned that no additional action be taken until further analyses are complete.
Seconded by CM Patton. Passed unanimously.
Text Change TC-1A-24 and TC-1B-24: Stormwater Design Manual and Related UDO Changes
Planning Commission voted 8-0 to request a 30-day extension to allow staff to revise the manual.
CM Melton moved to approve staff’s request for a 30-day extension. CM Patton seconded. Passed unanimously.
Text Change TC-5-24: Cameron Park NCOD Name Change
Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend denial.
Staff recommended a public hearing on September 3rd.
Motion passed unanimously to approve staff’s recommendations.
Special Items
Missing Middle Text Changes - Uptake, Utilization and Policy Considerations
The changes made in 2021 and 2022 allowed various housing types in more areas of the city, providing options for families at all income levels and ages.
Missing middle housing is also more energy efficient, and increasing its presence in the housing mix was intended to keep families in their beloved neighborhoods.
The city aims to encourage more homes near transit to save money, reduce carbon emissions, and meet the demand for affordable housing.
Wake County faces a deficit of about 66,000 affordable units, with only 8% of all units in Raleigh being legally binding affordable housing.
Zoning reform is underway in Raleigh to encourage market production of more homes in various locations.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, adopted similar changes in 2019 and experienced significant growth in missing middle housing types despite a challenging environment for home builders and buyers.
Raleigh has seen a population increase and strong market response to these housing types, leading to slower rent growth in communities that have implemented zoning reform.
The city is working with North Carolina State University to gather more data on the impact of these provisions on the Raleigh housing market.
The Missing Middle program has been successful, leading to an increase in approved units and making Raleigh's program one of the most productive in the country.
ADUs are more affordable than single family homes due to shared walls, roofs, and infrastructure, with 194 applications and 98 units completed as of 2024.
The Frequent Transit Development Option (FTDO) allows for more housing types and density near transit networks, resulting in over 2,000 units approved or permitted, primarily in Northeast and Southeast Raleigh. The FTDO has produced over 200 affordable units, making it a more productive bonus program than any in the state.
The term "character" used in the community feedback was discussed, with concerns raised about its subjectivity and potential for being used to judge residents rather than architecture.
Motion to bring back recommendation referring to infills made by Mayor Baldwin, seconded by CM Melton - approved unanimously.
Motion to bring back recommendation referring to character impact, seconded by CM Melton - approved 7-1 with Mayor Baldwin in opposition.
Appropriation from Council Contingency
Requests from Activate Good and KCSSU (Kinston-Lenoir Cultural Science and Systems of Unity) totaling $116,000.
Mayor Baldwin motioned to approve - passed unanimously.
Report and Recommendations of the City Manager
Brookside Drive Safety Initiatives
Future opportunities to assess bike infrastructure will come with the current bike plan update in the spring of 2025.
Other ongoing efforts include the automotive way roundabout project, which will extend the sidewalk down Brookside Drive and connect to Veil Street, and a petition sidewalk project.
The proposal for on-street parking along Brookside Drive aims to create friction and reduce car navigation speed through the area, providing 53 full-time on-street parking spots and shortening the right-turn lane.
Engagement with the community started in the spring of 2023, with continued collaboration throughout the spring of 2024, as staff worked to understand concerns and educate the community on the thought process behind the proposed improvements.
CM Branch asked to have this matter sent to the Transportation and Transit Committee - passed unanimously.
Bid Award - Roof Top Solar Installation Projects - 8MSolar, LLC and Cate Associates, Inc. dba Yes Solar Solutions of the Triangle
Echo Swansey from Engineering Services presented the authorization to enter into a bid for rooftop solar installation at City facilities.
The City had previously assigned $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support various solar projects, including solar feasibility evaluations for City facilities.
The Engineering Services Department conducted roof assessments on three existing facilities, confirming their viability for solar rooftop systems. After minimal bid participation, the department adapted the bid solicitation to encourage more bidders.
The Northeast remote operations center is planned to install 579 solar panels with a generating capacity of approximately 280 KW, estimated to save $14,000 annually and offset over 550,000 lb of CO2. Central operations facility building number one will install 401 solar panels with a generating capacity of approximately 194 KW, estimated to save $10,000 annually and offset over 400,000 lb of CO2. Central operations facility building number two will install 258 solar panels with a generating capacity of approximately 138 KW, estimated to save $6,000 annually and offset over 245,000 lbs of CO2.
Motorized Parade Safety Policy Recommendations
Organizers are now asked to retain documentation for at least 3 years and conduct a risk assessment to identify potential risks and emergencies.
New regulations include addressing communication with parents or guardians in case of emergencies, increasing automobile liability insurance, and screening entries and drivers.
Vehicles used in parades must present a recent vehicle safety inspection, and organizers must obtain an operator safety acknowledgement from each driver.
Parade participants are required to sign a city release, indemnity, and covenant before participating.
Report and Recommendations of the Economic Development and Innovation Committee
No Report
Items Pending
Report and Recommendations of the Growth and Natural Resources Committee
No Report
Items Pending
Report and Recommendations of the Safe, Vibrant and Healthy Community Committee
No Report
Items Pending
Report and Recommendations of the Transportation and Transit Committee
No Report
Items Pending
Matters Scheduled for Public Hearing
Public Nuisance Abatement - Property Liens
Three properties with public nuisance abatement issues, including high grass, trash, and abandoned properties, totaling approximately $45,251 in abatement costs.
No decision was made during the meeting, but the council agreed to work with Wake County to explore options and gain situational awareness for potential affordable housing opportunities.
Petition Annexation - AX-37-23 Contiguous, Inside ETJ - 4900 Old Poole Road (District C)
Passed unanimously.
Petition Annexation - AX-10-24 Contiguous, Inside ETJ - 4700 Tryon Road (District D)
Passed unanimously.
Rezoning Z-43-23: Carolina Avenue, north of Western Boulevard between Carolina Avenue and Heather Drive (District D)
Passed unanimiously.
Rezoning Z-62-23: 1020 Harper Road, approximately 200 feet north of the intersection with Fairway Drive (District D)
Passed unanimously.
Rezoning Z-63-23: 7691 ACC Boulevard, approximately 400 feet west of the intersection with Inspire Drive (District E)
Passed unanimously.
Rezoning Z-65-23: 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, 1/4 mile east of the intersection of Capital and Crabtree Boulevards (District C)
Passed 7-1 with CM Jones opposed.
Rezoning Z-01-24: Wake Forest Road Assemblage, 500 feet northeast of the intersection of North Person Street and East Franklin Street (District C)
Passed unanimously.
Rezoning Z-06-24: 2500 Blue Ridge Road; At the southeast intersection of Blue Ridge Road and Lake Boone Trail, south of UNC Rex Hospital (District E)
Passed unanimously.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-1-24: Jones Franklin Road Street Plan Amendment, between Fort Sumter and Tryon Roads (District D)
Passed unanimously.
Report of the Mayor and City Council
Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
Appointments
Design Review Commission - One Regular Vacancy (County Appointment)
Planning Commission - One Regular Vacancy (County Appointment)
Arts Commission - One Regular Vacancy
Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs Board - Two Regular Vacancies (Community Member Category)
Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board - One Regular Vacancy
Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Centers Authority - Two Regular Vacancies
Nominations
Community Engagement Board - Various Recommendations
Design Review Commission - One Regular Vacancy
Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs Board - One Regular Vacancy (Professional Category)
Raleigh Transit Authority - One Regular Vacancy
Report and Recommendations of the City Attorney
Report and Recommendations of the City Clerk
Minutes - Various
Adjournment