At the February Hillsborough-Wade CAC meeting we gathered to celebrate and discuss the recent City Council vote to officially recognize and restore support for the Raleigh Citizen Advisory Council (RCAC) and all of Raleigh’s CACs.
On the agenda that evening we had City Councilor Christina Jones who introduced the motion at the Raleigh City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 6th. Also in attendance at our CAC meeting was At-Large City Councilor Jonathan Melton. Prior to the February 6th vote, Councilor Melton had told me that he would be our “5th vote” to re-establish the historic relationship between CACs and City government.
The motion Councilor Jones introduced on February 6th read as follows:
“I move that the Raleigh City Council officially recognize and restore support for the Raleigh Citizen Advisory Council (RCAC) and CACs, returning them to their unique and historic role of providing opportunities for Raleigh residents to be heard and participate in two-way communication between themselves, City government, and their elected representatives.
Furthermore, that the City do so with the following supporting elements:
• Provide CACs with free, monthly-meeting space in a convenient City facility within the geographic boundary of each CAC;
• Allow access to City-owned technology from online meeting programs (like Zoom or Teams) to equipment for meetings (cameras, projectors, etc.);
• Succession Plan: Educate Raleigh residents and community about the Raleigh Neighborhood College and Citizens Leadership Academy and encourage participation to cultivate future civic leaders.”
The RCAC is now sending regular reminders to City Council and City staff about implementing the recommended actions in Councilor Jones motion. Access to meeting spaces within the boundaries of each CAC and access to a City Zoom account are the top priorities. As of March 13 that hasn’t happened yet. I’ve been told by City staff that they are working on both issues.
We are also collecting information we will provide the City of Raleigh for standing back up a Citizen Advisory Council website page on the City’s official website.
– Mike Lindsay, Chair of the Hillsborough-Wade CAC
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