HIGHLIGHTS
- Councilor Black absent from work session and joined afternoon session after Pledge of Allegiance, as has become her habit. Mayor Pro Tem Melton absent and excused from first part of afternoon session.
- Work session included information about the upcoming Library Bond referendum and an update on plans to enhance the City website.
- Public comments focused on Athens Drive library, Missing Middle issues, NCODs, the City flag, and the environment.
- Unanimously authorized $15k for Dia de Oakwood event
- Unanimously approved new procedure for Council Contingency funds
- Council voted 7 to 1, with Councilor Jones in opposition, to moving forward with two text changes related to Missing Middle – one to do with trees and another to do with infill compatibility. Staff are not tracking how much Naturally Occuring Affordable Housing is being lost as a result of MM. Mayor Baldwin has brought in the Home Builders Association to discuss MM issues and intends to continue conferring with them before opening up the process to the general public.
- Unanimously approved piloting free parking for the first two hours in specified City-owned parking decks.
- Council wants to further discuss establishment of a Social District in the Village District among themselves and request more information on community engagement plans
- Draft for Dix Park 10-year planning recommendations will be presented in early 2025.
- Unanimously authorized the conditional commitment of $559,752 to CASA for the King’s Ridge affordable housing development.
- Unanimously approved fare-free transit on Election Day
- Public Nuisance Abatement – Property Liens – unanimously approved
- Demolition of Unfit Building – unanimously approved
- Petition Annexation- AX-21-24- Non-Contiguous- Inside ETJ – 3105 Club Drive (District A) – unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-8-24: Wake III Campus, along New Bern Ave and 1/2 mile west of I-440 Beltline (District C) – unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-11-24: 1708 Lake Wheeler Road, at the intersection of Centennial Parkway and Lake Wheeler Road (District D) – unanimously approved
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-24: W South Street, between S McDowell Street and S Dawson Street (District D) – approved 6 to 2 with Councilors Black and Jones in opposition
- TC-4-24: Temporary and Accessory Emergency Shelters – unanimously approved
- Economic Development & Innovation Committee will not meet in October.
- Growth & Natural Resources Committee will meet on 10/22 at 4pm
- Safe, Vibrant, & Healthy Communities Committee will meet on 10/22 at 11:30am
- Transportation & Transit Committee will not meet in October
- Councilor Jones will hold a District E meeting on 11/13 from 6-8pm at La Cucina Italian Kitchen
- Councilor Forte asked that staff meet with Biltmore Hills residents to discuss concerns about bike lanes and sidewalks
- Councilor Harrison will hold a DDNA meeting this Saturday, 10/19, at the Crowder Center
WORK SESSION
A. 11:30 A.M. WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Wake County Public Libraries Bond Referendum
- The Wake County Public Libraries Bond Referendum will appear on the November 5 ballot. The Wake County Board of Commissioners is asking voters to decide on a $142 million bond for new libraries, as well as renovations and expansions for existing libraries, when voters head to the polls next month.
- Currently almost all Wake County residents live within 20 minutes of a Wake County Public Libraries facility, according to the county. Nearly 99% have a 15-minute travel time, and 84.7% are within 10 minutes of a branch. Projects funded by the proposed bond would bring the percentage of Wake County residents in that 10-minute category up to 87%. Wake County last held a bond referendum for libraries in October 2007 to fund $45 million in renovations, replacements and expansions. That referendum passed with 70% voter approval. During the work session staff with Wake County government will provide information on projects included in the referendum.
2. Enhancing Navigation, Service and Storytelling on the RaleighNC.gov Website
- The City website, RaleighNC.gov, has over the years gone through a series of technology and content refreshes as well as a rebranding effort. Through efforts in the last year to modernize the City’s communications during a crisis, the Communications Department recognized the opportunity to improve navigation and the ability of residents to find information on the site. As part of the crisis project, a new navigation structure was developed and tested. On July 1, a solicitation for professional services was issued to implement these improvements – structural changes, a new design, and enhanced storytelling.
- The end goal of the project is that residents will find services and information more quickly than the current site. It will remove out-of-date content, which will improve search results and site navigation. It will add the ability to showcase success stories for the City alongside service-focused content. Finally, it will create an alert dashboard for determining the impact of external events on City services.
- During the work session staff will provde a presentation of the proposed changes, process and overall timeline. The regular meeting consent agenda contains authorization for the City Manager to negotiate the contract with the selected vendor, IPG DXTRA, dba Hugo & Cat.
AFTERNOON SESSION
B. 1:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
C. RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL AWARDS
1. Solarize the Triangle Program – Residential Low-to-Middle Income Pilot – Update
D. CONSENT AGENDA
- Unanimously approved
- Full details at end of document
L. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Rules of Decorum for Public Comment
2. Voice Mail Public Comment
- Public comments focused on Athens Drive library, Missing Middle issues, NCODs, the City flag, and the environment.
M. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at City Council on November 6, 2024, at 7pm
- Applications for Historic Landmark Designation (Joint Hearing with the Raleigh Historic Development Commission)
- Charles and Maude Heck House — 200 Hawthorne Road
- Elizabeth Hunter and William Henley Deitrick House II — 1900 McDonald Lane
- Rezoning: Z-17-24 Tryon Rd
- Rezoning: Z-21-24 Carolina & Grove Ave (rescheduled)
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment: CP-2-24 4700 Kyle Dr (rescheduled)
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment: CP-3-24 Greenway Master Plan
No items currently are scheduled for public hearing at City Council on November 19, 2024, at 1pm
2. Rezoning Z-70-22: Glenwood Avenue, Lake Anne Drive, Winchester Drive, west of the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Lake Anne Drive (District E)
- 90-day extension unanimously approved
3. Rezoning Z-18-24: 120 Rush Street, approximately 500 feet east of the intersection of South Wilmington Street and Rush Street (District D)
- 11/19 public hearing unanimously approved
4. Rezoning Z-24-24: Birch Ridge Road, southwestern quadrant of the intersection of Poole Road and Interstate 87 (District C)
- 11/19 public hearing unanimously approved
5. Text Change TC-6-24: Raleigh Water Public Utilities Design Manual
- 30-day extension unanimously approved
N. SPECIAL ITEMS
1. Appropriation from Council Contingency
- Unanimously authorized $15k for Dia de Oakwood event
2. Follow Up – Council Contingency Funds
- Unanimously approved new procedure that
- Establishes a process that begins with Policy Analyst (before the mentioning at the table)
- Establishes an abbreviated contract template for the agencies to receive the funds (agencies must adhere to contract language with a deliverable)*
- Staff to create an expedited administrative process for contract routing and execution and the distribution of funds
- Designated equal amount per council member each FY
- Mayor Baldwin requested $10k for United Arts Council and that will be on next meeting agenda
3. Missing Middle Text Changes – Potential Revisions to the Unified Development Ordinance
- Planning staff has brought forth two items for revising Missing Middle – one to do with trees and another to do with infill compatibility.
- Councilor Jones asked how much Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) is lost through MM and staff were not able to answer.
- Planning Director Pat Young explained that as housing got older and more affordable, that is when it is likely to be “redeveloped,” which totally undercuts the trickle down argument that simply building more housing will help with affordability.
- Councilor Patton stated that infill compatibility standards are her top priority for revising MM.
- Mayor Baldwin invited Home Builder Association President Paul Kane, who they have been meeting with, to speak and said they would continue the conversation with the HBA before opening up to a public process for more input as these proposed revisions go through the text change process.
- Council voted 7 to 1 to move these two items through the text change process. Councilor Jones voted against because she said it doesn’t go far enough.
4. Downtown Investment Opportunities – Proposed 2-Hour Free Parking Program
- Unanimously approved piloting free parking for the first two hours in specified City-owned parking decks.
- Councilor Melton suggested discussing potential revenue mitigation actions with downtown businesses. Will discuss further at Council planning retreat.
O. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Establish Social District – Request – Village District
- Council wants to discuss further among themselves and request more information on community engagement plans
2. Dix Park: 10-Year Planning Process Update
- Draft recommendations will be presented in early 2025.
3. King’s Ridge Affordable Housing Project – Operations Funding
- Unanimously authorized the conditional commitment of $559,752 to CASA for the King’s Ridge affordable housing development.
P. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE RALEIGH TRANSIT AUTHORITY
1. Election Day – Fare Free Transit
- Unanimously approved fare-free transit on Election Day
Q. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Nuisance Abatement – Property Liens – unanimously approved
2. Demolition of Unfit Building – unanimously approved
3. Petition Annexation- AX-21-24- Non-Contiguous- Inside ETJ – 3105 Club Drive (District A) – unanimously approved
4. Rezoning Z-8-24: Wake III Campus, along New Bern Ave and 1/2 mile west of I-440 Beltline (District C) – unanimously approved
5. Rezoning Z-11-24: 1708 Lake Wheeler Road, at the intersection of Centennial Parkway and Lake Wheeler Road (District D) – unanimously approved
6. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-24: W South Street, between S McDowell Street and S Dawson Street (District D) – approved 6 to 2 with Councilors Black and Jones in opposition
7. TC-4-24: Temporary and Accessory Emergency Shelters – unanimously approved
R. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Item 22-01: Economic Development Roundtable – Historically Black Colleges & Universities (2/21/23)
- No meeting in October
S. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Item 22-16 – U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Stream Bank Erosion Study (10/1/24)
- Meeting 10/22 at 4pm
T. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Item 22-05: Cottage Court and Tiny House Garages – External Text Change Request (9/17/24)
- Meeting 10/22 at 11:30am
U. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- No meeting in October
V. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Councilor Jones will hold a District E meeting on 11/13 from 6-8pm at La Cucina Italian Kitchen
- Councilor Forte asked that staff meet with Biltmore Hills residents to discuss concerns about bike lanes and sidewalks
- Councilor Harrison will hold a DDNA meeting this Saturday, 10/19, at the Crowder Center
W. APPOINTMENTS
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Civil Service Commission – One Regular Vacancy (At-Large Slot)
3. Human Relations Commission – Two Alternate Vacancies
4. Police Advisory Board – Two Alternate Vacancies
X. NOMINATIONS
1. Historical Resources and Museums Advisory Board – Follow-Up from October 1
2. Police Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy (At-Large Slot)
3. Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Centers Authority – One Regular Vacancy
Y. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
Z. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Minutes – Various
AA. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter Closed Session
BB. OPEN SESSION
1. Return to Open Session
2. Adjourn Meeting
CONSENT AGENDA
D. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
2. Disposition of Surplus Property – Negotiated Private Sale – 424 and 428 S. Bloodworth Street – Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, Inc.
3. Affordable Housing Land Lease – Parkside Apartments Cross Access Easement
E. CONSENT AGENDA – REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Business Investment Grant Program – Economic Development
F. CONSENT AGENDA – GRANTS
1. Grant Revision – Federal Community Project Funding – Chavis-Dix Strollway and South Park Heritage Walk Project
G. CONSENT AGENDA – EASEMENTS
1. Temporary Construction Easement – Stormwater Drainage – 5857 Barwell Park Drive
H. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Professional Services – Studios at 2800 Extended Stay Facility – Osterlund Architects, PLLC – Amendment One
2. Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On Call Engineering Services – Hazen and Sayer, P.C. – Amendment Number Four
3. Professional Services – Rose Lane Safe Access Flood Resilience Project – AECOM Technical Services of North Carolina, Inc. – Amendment No. One
4. Contract Services – Software Implementation – City Website Restructuring – IPG DXTRA, Inc. d/b/a Hugo & Cat
5. Contract Services – Hydrant Painting – Hydromax USA LLC
6. Contract Services – Event and Security Services – Staff-1 Services Group, Inc. – Amendment No. Four
7. Contract Services – Maintenance Services for Elevators, Escalators, and Lifts – Schindler Elevator Corporation – Amendment No. Two
8. Retail Space Lease – Parks Recreation & Cultural Resources Greystone Community Center – 7713 Lead Mine Road, Suite 121
I. CONSENT AGENDA – STREET CLOSING REQUESTS
1. Street Closing STC-02-2023: Blue Run Lane Right-of-Way, east of Interstate 540
J. CONSENT AGENDA – RIGHT- OF – WAY ITEMS (CONDEMNATION REQUESTS)
1. Inglewood Lane Sidewalk Installation Petition Project
2. Sewer Replacement Project – 417 Gardner Street
K. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Multi-way Stops
2. Two Hour Parking Time Limits – 400 South Person Street
3. No Stopping No Standing – School Days – Scotland Street