HIGHLIGHTS
- Showed photos from 11/7 New Bern BRT Groundbreaking
- Approved updated list of Civil Service Act exemptions which is much smaller than original list
- Unanimously authorized a discussion to allow use of part of the Randleigh property for a future regional fire training center and to allocate part of the property for use by Wake County. Mayor Baldwin expressed excessive concern about the cost of this necessary safety item. Her priorities clearly favor funding digital signs, fancy bus shelters, and other frivolities. Will discuss at next City Council retreat
- ACORNS and Alternative Response Unit Follow-up – Planning community engagement from November to January, update at January council retreat, recommend program in February/March 2024 and budget request for FY 2025
- Councilor Forte moves that City Council continue to appoint and support City Clerk, that City Manager looks for opportunities to align administrative functions, and that Lou Buonpane be appointed to the Office of City Clerk effective 11/20/23. Unanimously approved.
- Unanimously authorized staff to negotiate loan terms, in the amount of $275,000, from the Preservation Loan Fund for the purpose of preservation and relocation of the Bill and Betty Weber House, 606 Translyvania Avenue.
- Unanimously authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with The Segal Company (Eastern States) Inc., d/b/a Segal for the Compensation and Classification Study in an amount not to exceed $315,000.
- Unanimously accepted and approved FY23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report along with policy changes to general fund reserves
- Unanimously approved allocating $33.05M of $34.4M in General Capital reserves for affordable housing, sports programs, employee investments, Raleigh Fire Department apparatus, central fuel system upgrades, participatory budgeting pilot program, and alternative response implementation planning, leaving $1.35M for Council priorities.
- Announced hiring of new Customer Experience Manager Karen Ray.
- City Manager apologized for parade issues (without explaining all the bogus excuses previously offered) and announced that a new process will be ready in time for Spring 2024.
- Unanimously approved annual report and work plan of the Appearance Commission and will be changing their name to Design Review Commission.
- Unanimously approved change to remove meeting times of the Fair Housing Hearing Board from their by-laws.
- Unanimously approved Situation Assessments and Joint Community Advisory Group – John Chavis John Chavis Memorial Park Phase 2, South Park Heritage Walk, and John P “Top” Greene Center
- Approved Rezoning Z-30-23: Trawick Road, one-half mile east of US-1 on the north side (District C) by a vote of 6 to 2 with Councilors Jones and Black objecting.
- Economic Development and Innovation Committee recommended staff bring back options to partner with Gener8tor Music. Economic Roundtable for HBCUs still pending, but committee will not meet again until January.
- Council voted 6 to 2, with Baldwin and Melton objecting, to authorize staff to draft a text change requested by the Mordecai NCOD, unanimously approved Capital Area Greenway Master plan, and referred Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Master Plan to Transit and Transportation Committee. Growth and Natural Resources Committee will discuss Green Growth Toolbox at 4pm on November 28.
- Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Community Committee still discussing public safety issues, but will not meet again until January. Council voted 5 to 3, with Jones, Black, and Patton objecting, to move discussion of “fare-free busses” out of committee so that staff can report back and Council can take action in time for next Fiscal Year budget. Councilor Melton expressed his support for finding a way to deal with unintended negative consequences while retaining fare-free.
- Transportation and Transit Committee reported out Rezoning Z-94-22: Creedmoor Road (District E) and Six Forks Road Improvements Project Update with no action taken. Next meeting will be November 30. Councilor Harrison asked that railroad quiet zone be referred to committee or a work session. Will be a work session.
- Councilor Patton will be holding a community meeting on November 9 at 6pm. Highlighted some items from consent agenda and announced that there will be a public hearing for a TIG (Tax Increment Grant) on November 21.
- Councilor Black has a survey available on her social media to get input regarding topics for a community meeting next month. She also asked staff for an update on an African-American Affairs Board.
- Mayor Pro Tem Branch is postponing his 11/18 community meeting.
- Councilor Jones’s next community meeting is November 8. She asked staff to explore ways to incentivize moving away from gas-powered leaf blowers.
- Councilor Harrison announced that Southwest Community Engagement Meeting will be held virtually on November 13 at 7pm. District D meeting will not be held in November because date conflicts with Christmas Parade. Asked that proposed six lanes on Jones Franklin Road be reduced to four lanes and NC DOT agreed. Asked staff to pursue an amendment to the comp plan and that was unanimously approved. Publicly apologized to veterans for parade cancellation and asked staff for an update in January.
- Mayor Baldwin named Councilor Black to the retreat committee.
- Petition Annexation – AX-09-23- Contiguous, Outside and Inside ETJ – 0, 4209, 4217 Watkins Rd (District B) – continued to November 21 to pair up with the associated rezoning hearing on that date.
- Rezoning Z-17-23: West side of Jones Franklin Road, south of Centerview Drive and north of Woodsdale Road (District D) – unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-20-23: The block bounded by Hillsborough Street, West Street, Morgan Street, and the railroad to the west (District D) – unanimously approved holding until November 21 for further discussion on Affordable Housing.
- Rezoning Z-25-23: Poole Road, on the north side, west of the intersection of Poole and Riverview Roads (District C) – approved unanimously
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-23: Downtown Transition Areas, east and south of the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood (District D) – Former Planning Director Mitch Silver admitted he was hired to speak in opposition to the requested amendment and, as staff confirmed, Silver incorrectly stated that it would be necessary to conduct an area plan before incorporating transition areas. Unanimously approved sending to Growth & Natural Resources Committee in January.
- Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-5-23: Hillsborough Street Plan Amendment (District D) – approved unanimously.
A. 1:00 P.M. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
B. RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL AWARDS
C. CONSENT AGENDA
- Unanimously approved except that Councilor Jones pulled G6 and staff pulled H1. G6 – Councilor Jones asked about cost of temporary labor versus what it would cost to be fully staffed and asked about challenges in hiring for solid waste services. G6 unanimously approved. H1 – pulled because it is in NCDOT right of way which requires a different process.
- See Details at end of this report
L. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
2. Rezoning Z-84-21: Millbrook Road, on the north and south sides, 300 feet east of Six Forks Road (District A) – December 5 public hearing scheduled
3. Rezoning Z-26-23: Glenwood Avenue, a portion of the block bounded by Glenwood Avenue, Boylan Avenue, North Street, and Lane Street (District D) — December 5 public hearing scheduled
4. Rezoning Z-27-23: Dawson Assemblage, a portion of the block bounded by Dawson Street, Lane Street, and Jones Street (District D) — December 5 public hearing scheduled
M. SPECIAL ITEMS
1. Rezoning Z-13-23: 0, 4209, 4217 Watkins Rd, 1/2 mile south of the intersection of Mitchell Mill Rd and Watkins Rd (District B) – unanimously approved scheduling this as a special item on 11/21 when public hearing will be set
2. Rezoning Z-35-23: 0 Gorman Street, 0.27 Miles south of the intersection of Gorman Street and Avent Ferry Road and west of the intersection of Gorman Street and Shire Lane (District D) — December 5 public hearing scheduled
3. Civil Service Act – Exemption by Position and Policy 301-A Human Resources Program Policy Definitions
- Many positions are no longer exempt from the Civil Service Act – updated list unanimously approved
4. Amendment to Interlocal Agreement – City of Raleigh and Wake County – Randleigh Tract
- Unanimously authorized a discussion to allow use of part of the property for a future regional fire training center and to allocate part of the property for use by Wake County. Mayor Baldwin expressed excessive concern about the cost of this necessary safety item. Her priorities clearly favor funding digital signs, fancy bus shelters, and other frivolities. Will discuss at next City Council retreat.
5. ACORNS and Alternative Response Unit Follow-up
- Planning community engagement from November to January, update at January council retreat, recommend program in February/March 2024 and budget request for FY 2025
6. City Clerk Information Gathering Discussion and Next Steps
- Councilor Forte recommends that City Council continue to appoint and support City Clerk, that City Manager looks for opportunities to align administrative functions, and that Lou Buonpane be appointed to the Office of City Clerk effective 11/20/23. Unanimously approved.
N. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Preservation Revolving Fund – 606 Transylvania Avenue – Relocation of Residential Structure
- Unanimously authorized staff to negotiate loan terms, in the amount of $275,000, from the Preservation Loan Fund for the purpose of preservation and relocation of the Bill and Betty Weber House, 606 Translyvania Avenue.
2. Comprehensive Compensation and Classification Study
- Unanimously authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with The Segal Company (Eastern States) Inc., d/b/a Segal for the Compensation and Classification Study in an amount not to exceed $315,000.
3. FY23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
- Unanimously accepted and approved policy changes to general fund reserves
4. General Fund – Appropriation of Capital Reserves
- Unanimously approved allocating $33.05M of $34.4M in General Capital reserves for affordable housing, sports programs, employee investments, Raleigh Fire Department apparatus, central fuel system upgrades, participatory budgeting pilot program, and alternative response implementation planning, leaving $1.35M for Council priorities.
- Announced hiring of new Customer Experience Manager Karen Ray.
- City Manager apologized for parade issues (without explaining all the bogus excuses previously offered) and announced that a new process will be ready in time for Spring 2024.
O. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE APPEARANCE COMMISSION
1. Annual Report and Annual Work Plan
- Unanimously approved and will be changing their name to Design Review Commission
P. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE FAIR HOUSING HEARING BOARD
1. Board Bylaws – Proposed Amendments
- Unanimously approved change to remove meeting times of the Fair Housing Hearing Board from their by-laws.
Q. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND GREENWAY ADVISORY BOARD
1. Situation Assessments and Joint Community Advisory Group – John Chavis John Chavis Memorial Park Phase 2, South Park Heritage Walk, and John P “Top” Greene Center
- Unanimously approved
R. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING (AFTERNOON SESSION)
1. Rezoning Z-30-23: Trawick Road, one-half mile east of US-1 on the north side (District C)
- Approved 6 to 2 with Councilors Jones and Black objecting
S. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. Gener8tor Music
2. Items Pending
- Committee recommended staff bring back options to partner with Gener8tor Music. Economic Roundtable for HBCUs still pending, but committee will not meet again until January.
T. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. External Text Change Request – Mordecai Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Districts – Citizen Initiated
2. Greenway Master Plan
3. Items Pending
- Council voted 6 to 2, with Baldwin and Melton objecting, to authorize staff to draft a text change requested by the Mordecai NCOD, unanimously approved Capital Area Greenway Master plan, and referred Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Master Plan to Transit and Transportation Committee. Growth and Natural Resources Committee will discuss Green Growth Toolbox at 4pm on November 28.
U. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Committee still discussing public safety issues, but will not meet again until January. Council voted 5 to 3, with Jones, Black, and Patton objecting, to move discussion of “fare-free busses” out of committee so that staff can report back and Council can take action in time for next Fiscal Year budget. Councilor Melton expressed his support for finding a way to deal with unintended negative consequences while retaining fare-free.
V. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. Rezoning Z-94-22: Creedmoor Road (District E)
2. Six Forks Road Improvements Project Update
3. Items Pending
- Reported out Rezoning Z-94-22: Creedmoor Road (District E) and Six Forks Road Improvements Project Update with no action taken.
- Next meeting will be November 30.
- Councilor Harrison asked that railroad quiet zone be referred to committee. Michael Moore will be asking for funds to conduct a study. Will be referred to a work session.
W. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Councilor Patton will be holding a community meeting on November 9 at 6pm. Highlighted some items from consent agenda and announced that there will be a public hearing for a TIG (Tax Increment Grant) on November 21.
- Councilor Black has a survey available on her social media to get input regarding topics for a community meeting next month. She also asked staff for an update on an African-American Affairs Board.
- Mayor Pro Tem Branch is postponing his 11/18 community meeting.
- Councilor Jones’s next community meeting is November 8. She asked staff to explore ways to incentivize moving away from gas-powered leaf blowers. Highlighted some items from the consent agenda.
- Councilor Harrison announced that Southwest Community Engagement Meeting will be held virtually on November 13 at 7pm. District D meeting will not be held in November because date conflicts with Christmas Parade. Asked that proposed six lanes on Jones Franklin Road be reduced to four lanes and NC DOT agreed. Asked staff to pursue an amendment to the comp plan and that was unanimously approved. Publicly apologized to veterans for parade cancellation and asked staff for an update in January.
- Mayor Baldwin named Councilor Black to the retreat committee.
X. APPOINTMENTS
1. Appearance Commission – One Alternate Vacancy
2. Historic Cemeteries Advisory Board – Two Regular Vacancies
3. Human Relations Commission – One Alternate Vacancy
Y. NOMINATIONS
1. Board of Adjustment – One Alternate Vacancy (County Appointee)
2. Appearance Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
3. Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs Board – One Regular Vacancy (Professional Category)
4. Planning Commission – One Regular Vacancy
5. Stormwater Management Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
Z. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
AA. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Minutes – Various
BB. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter into Closed Session
CC. OPEN SESSION
1. Return to Open Session
2. Recess Meeting
DD. 7:00 P.M. EVENING AGENDA
EE. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
- Petition Annexation – AX-09-23- Contiguous, Outside and Inside ETJ – 0, 4209, 4217 Watkins Rd (District B)
- Continued to November 21 to pair up with the associated rezoning hearing on that date.
2. Rezoning Z-17-23: West side of Jones Franklin Road, south of Centerview Drive and north of Woodsdale Road (District D)
- Will take into account proposed comp plan amendment to go from six to four lanes. Approved unanimously.
3. Rezoning Z-20-23: The block bounded by Hillsborough Street, West Street, Morgan Street, and the railroad to the west (District D)
- Unanimously approved holding until November 21 for further discussion on Affordable Housing.
4. Rezoning Z-25-23: Poole Road, on the north side, west of the intersection of Poole and Riverview Roads (District C)
- Approved unanimously
5. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-4-23: Downtown Transition Areas, east and south of the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood (District D)
- Former Planning Director Mitch Silver admitted he was hired to speak in opposition to the requested amendment and, as staff confirmed, Silver incorrectly stated that it would be necessary to conduct an area plan before incorporating transition areas. Unanimously approved sending to Growth & Natural Resources Committee in January.
6. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-5-23: Hillsborough Street Plan Amendment (District D)
- Approved unanimously
FF. ADJOURNMENT
- Adjourn Meeting
C. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
2. Donation of Surplus Property – Drop In and White Flag Shelters Upfit – St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church
3. Raleigh Housing Authority Bond Issuance – Birch and Branch
4. City Code Amendment – Community Gardens in the Parks System – Injuring Plants Prohibited
D. CONSENT AGENDA – PETITION ANNEXATIONS
1. Petition Annexation- AX-30-23- Contiguous inside ETJ – 3400 Sungate Boulevard (District C)
2. Petition Annexation- AX-25-23 – Contiguous Outside ETJ- 8113 Ligon Mill Road (portion of) (District B)
E. CONSENT AGENDA – REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Business Investment Grant Program – Economic Development
F. CONSENT AGENDA – GRANTS
1. Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 – Grant Award
2. NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division Multimodal Planning Grant – Bicycle Plan Update – Grant Award
G. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Professional Services – Preliminary Design – Wake Bus Rapid Transit Western Corridor – WSP, Inc. – Amendment No. 6
2. Professional Services – Final Design – Wake Bus Rapid Transit Western Corridor – Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.
3. Professional Services – Downtown Mobility and Transportation Operations Study – Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
4. Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On-Call Engineering Services – CDM Smith Inc., Amendment No. 2
5. Contract Services – Loan Portfolio Servicing – AmeriNational Community Services, LLC
6. Contract Services – Temporary Labor Services – RCD Environmental, LLC – Amendment No. Three
7. Contract Services – Customer Care and Billing, Customer Portal – i3 Verticals, LLC
8. Contract Services – Customer Care and Billing – Utility Solutions Partners, LLC –Amendment No. 1
H. CONSENT AGENDA – STREET CLOSING REQUESTS
1. Street Closing STC-02-2023: Blue Run Lane Right-of-Way
I. CONSENT AGENDA – ENCROACHMENT REQUESTS
1. 3901 Capital Hills Drive – Stormwater Infrastructure – Homestead Heights Lane
J. CONSENT AGENDA – BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS
1. Budget Amendment – Proceeds from Sale of 322 W. Davie Street
2. Budget Transfer – Affordable Rental Housing Development
3. Budget Transfer- Raleigh Rainwater Rewards Program
K. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Speed Limit Reductions
2. Multi-way Stops
3. Two Hour Parking Time Limits – 600 Saint Mary’s Street