Highlights
- Meeting was changed to virtual on Monday, April 18, due to Mayor Baldwin testing positive for COVID.
- Consent agenda approved, including immediate 2% COLA for all City employees and scheduling of June 7 public hearing for Text Change TC-12-21: Accessory Commercial Units
- Public comments on engagement, funding request, parks, RPD/RFD vacancies and pay especially in light of record increase in crime, road widening, and trees.
- Capital Area Greenway Master Plan – approved
- Downtown Raleigh Alliance – Smart Kiosk Project – approved
- Public Hearings – all items scheduled for April 19 were moved to May 17, except that Public Hearing for Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-10-21 and the Western Boulevard Corridor Study: Wake Bus Rapid Transit that opened April 5 will resume at June 7 Council meeting
- Nicky Hill announced as fourth Assistant City Manager.
- City Manager will pull together a comprehensive report on pay
- Next meetings of Economic Development and Innovation Committee will be at 2pm on May 10 and 1:30pm on May 24. ACUs (Accessory Commercial Units) and Social Districts are pending; ACUs will be priority because public hearing has been set for June 7
- No meeting in April for Growth and Natural Resources Committee
- Next meeting of the Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Community Committee will be May 24 at 10:30am regarding Midtown MSD Feasibility study
- Next meeting of the Transportation and Transit Committee will be May 26 on CP-2-21 – Capital North Corridor Plan
- Mayor Baldwin asked City Manager to include future City Elections on May 3 agenda.
Work Session
Meeting was changed to virtual on Monday, April 18, due to Mayor Baldwin testing positive for COVID. Mayor Pro Tem Stewart was absent and excused.
- Citywide Speed Limit – https://go.boarddocs.com/nc/raleigh/Board.nsf/files/CDMKAJ50EE1F/$file/202204019RDOTSpeedLimitsPresentation.pdf
- Council seemed to favor Option 1 – gradually reducing speed limits on residential streets to either 25mph or 30mph depending on traffic volume. This will take 2-3 years to complete and cost approximately $250k/year.
- Mayor asked that there be further discussion involving lobbyist asking NCGA to allow city-wide speed reduction.
- Council agreed to wait for recommendations from soon-to-be-hired Vision Zero coordinator and to possibly put in committee to discuss further, including discussion of impact on budget.
Afternoon Session
Meeting was changed to virtual on Monday, April 18, due to Mayor Baldwin testing positive for COVID. Mayor Pro Tem Stewart absent and excused.
Consent Agenda
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously except that
- Councilor Cox asked for additional discussion on Employee COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) agenda item because he didn’t feel 2% COLA was sufficient given inflation rate, employee vacancies, etc and asked for further information about options. City Manager explained that this is using excess funds from 2022 budget and is all that can be done in 2022; will be looking at more options for 2023 budget. Currently looking at minimum 2 cent property tax increase based on current budget proposal on top of fee increases for parks, stormwater, water, etc. – approved unanimously
- Councilor Cox also asked that Encroachment Agreement regarding Street Trees be held four weeks for further discussion between developer and Fox Run Community. Approved.
- Employee Cost of Living Adjustment – Authorization and Implementation
- Text Change TC-12-21: Accessory Commercial Units – public hearing scheduled for June 7
- Grant Award – National Recreation and Park Association Grant Award for Sensodyne Refresh Grant
- North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Water Infrastructure Grant Application Approvals
- Professional Services – E.M. Johnson 54-Inch Raw Water Line – CJS Conveyance, PLLC
- Contract Services – Print Publications – The Lane Press
- Encroachment Agreement – Malone Court – Street Trees
- Budget Amendment – Customer Relationship Management System
- Bid Award – Drinking Water Compliance Laboratory Facility Construction – TCC Enterprises Inc.
- Speed Limit Reductions – Departure Drive, Piedmont Drive, Carthage Circle, Lytham Place, Dobbin Place, Crampton Place, Rugby Court, & Christine Court
- Multi-way Stops – Cutler Street at McCulloch Street, W. Cabarrus Street at Cutler Street, and W. Lenoir Street at Cutler Street
- Mixed Use Loading Zone – 100 Glenwood Avenue
- Mixed Use Loading Zone and Two-Hour Parking Time Limits – South Bloodworth Street
- City Code Section 11-2188 – Further Revisions – Temporary Curbside Uses
Public Comment
- Christina Jones on engagement metrics and congratulating City on becoming a Biophilic City. She also mentioned several upcoming Parks events.
- Alexis Andrews asking for funding for Youth First Organization summer camp.
- Ross Yeager in support of Devereux Meadow Park.
- Andy Davis re RPD and RFD vacancies and pay.
- Matthew Cooper re RPD and RFD vacancies and pay and record increase in crime.
- Long discussion on RPD/RFD pay and vacancy rate with input from City Manager as well as HR Director and Budget office.
- Larry Miller in support of Devereux Meadow Park
- Tara Robbin, Midtown Raleigh Alliance, on moving forward with Six Forks Road widening project
- Tim Martin on native trees and tree conservation
- Q. Chin? from Oaks and Spokes on Parks Bond.
- Octavia Rainey on Devereux Meadow Park being a former plantation.
Report and Recommendation of the Planning Commission
- Planning Commission Report – The following items are scheduled for public hearing at the City Council meeting on May 3, 2022.
- Revised FEMA Flood Maps
- AR 952 – Sandy Forks Road Improvements
- Text Change TC-20-21 – Missing Middle 2.0 – More Homes, More Choices
- Rezoning Z-57-21 – New Bern Avenue and Bart Street (District C)
- Rezoning Z-61-21 316 E Edenton Street (District D) (Held open from April 5, 2022)
The following item is scheduled for public hearing at the City Council meeting on June 7, 2022.
- Proposed FY 2022-2023 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan
- Text Change: TC-4-22 Flood Hazard Areas Effective Date – May 17 public hearing recommended
- Planning Commission Rules of Procedure – no public hearing required; revisions approved unanimously
- FY21 Comprehensive Plan Annual Progress Report – Council directed staff to investigate emerging issues topics, including Economic Development and Placemaking, Integration of Planning and Budgeting, and Expansion of Policies in Support of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing
- Omnibus Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-2-22 – May 17 public hearing recommended
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-15-21: Frequent Transit Areas – May 3 public hearing recommended
- Rezoning Z-83-21: 1420 Garner Road, at the northwest corner with Saints Avenue (District C) – May 17 public hearing recommended
- Rezoning Z-76-21: 12117 Strickland Road, approximately one third of a mile east of its intersection with Ray Road (District A) – June 7 public hearing recommended
Special Items
- Appropriations from Council Contingency – approved
- $5,000 for St. Augustine University’s Presidential Inauguration Champion Scholar sponsorship (Council Member Branch)
- $5,136 for The Hollows Community Garden Plant Exchange Event on April 24, 2022 (Council Member Buffkin)
- $20,000 in matching funds for Raleigh Crimestoppers (Mayor Baldwin)
- Capital Area Greenway Master Plan Adoption – approved
- Downtown Raleigh Alliance – Smart Kiosk Project – approved placement of 15-20 kiosks
Report from the City Manager
- Raleigh Youth Council – The presentation covered some of the accomplishments and programs the teenagers participated in this past year such as civic engagement, leadership opportunities, community service, recreational outings, and fundraising events.
- Nicky Hill announced as fourth Assistant City Manager.
- Will pull together a comprehensive report on pay
Report and Recommendation of the Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs Board
- Board Bylaws and Amendments approved
Public Hearings – all items scheduled for April 19 were moved to May 17
- Announcement – Public Hearing for Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-10-21 and the Western Boulevard Corridor Study: Wake Bus Rapid Transit – public hearing that opened April 5 will resume at June 7 Council meeting
- Public Nuisance Abatement – Property Liens
- Demolition of Unfit Building
- Unfit for Human Habitation 90 Days Repair
- Petition Annexation – AX-28-21- Contiguous Inside ETJ – 3410, 3320 Tryon Road; 2109 Rannette Street (District D)
- Petition Annexation – AX-35-21- Contiguous Inside ETJ – 2018, 2019 Seneca Drive (District B)
- Rezoning Z-60-21: 4412, 4408, 4404, 4324 Tryon Road, approximately 200 feet east of the intersection with Silver Moon Lane (District D)
- Rezoning Z-78-21: Dawson and Martin, in the block bound by Dawson Street, Martin Street, Davie Street, and Commerce Place (District D)
- Rezoning Z-79-21: Hoke Street and Garner Road, at the southwest corner of the intersection of Hoke Street and Garner Road, approximately one-third of a mile south of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (District C)
- Rezoning Z-85-21: Bloodworth, Cabarrus, and East streets (District C)
- Text Change TC-4-21: Transit Street Cross-Sections and Green Plus Frontage
Report and Recommendation of the Economic Development and Innovation Committee
- Next meetings at 2pm on May 10 and May 24 at 1:30pm
- ACUs and Social Districts; ACUs will be priority because public hearing has been set for June 7
Report and Recommendation of the Growth and Natural Resources Committee
- No meeting in April
Report and Recommendation of the Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Community Committee
- May 24 at 10:30am regarding Midtown MSD Feasibility study
Report and Recommendation of the Transportation and Transit Committee
- May 26 on CP-2-21 – Capital North Corridor Plan
Report from Mayor and City Council
- Councilor Buffkin asking for info on public safety salaries
- Councilor Forte asking to look into alternatives to 24-hour schedule for first responders
- Councilor Knight mentioned Five Points Study kickoff tonight at 7pm
- Councilor Melton asked staff to evaluate working with business community to incentivize bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
- Councilor Branch – April 30 dedication at Levelle Moton Park.
- Mayor Baldwin asked City Manager to include City Elections on May 3 agenda. Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities has an opening and Mayor Baldwin made a nomination.