Highlights
- Note: this is the last Council meeting of 2024. Next meeting scheduled for January 7, 2025.
- At-Large Councilor Stormie Forte elected as Mayor Pro Tem
- Committee Assignments unanimously approved; will be posted on website
- Consent agenda included Historic Landmark Designations for the Charles and Maude Heck House and the Elizabeth Hunter and William Henley Deitrick House 2
- Consent agenda also included accepting federal grants of $20,336,500 for the Southern and Western Bus Rapid Transit Corridors Project Development
- Unanimously adopted annual schedule of regular meetings.
- Will hold retreat on January 24 & 25
- Unanimously authorized more than $11M in additional funds for new City Hall building project to add an extra floor as well as public art
- Unanimously approved report and work plan for the Community Engagement Board
- Unanimously authorized naming of the Crabtree Creek West Greenway suspension bridge as the “Todd B. Delk Memorial Bridge”
- Unanimously approved Parks Plan update, John Chavis Memorial Park Phase II, John P. Top Greene – Schematic Design, and South Park Heritage Trail – Concept Design
- Councilor Patton was absent and excused from the afternoon meeting starting at 3pm
- Unanimously approved rezoning Z-29-24: 1025 Schaub Drive
- No Committee meetings in December
- Councilor Harrison’s next District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting will be Saturday, January 18, at 9:30am (no meeting in December)
- Councilor Branch wants to do a District C Town Hall in late Spring and will hold District C meetings leading up to that. Asked for information on what areas of the City are out of fire response times.
- Councilor Jones will hold her next monthly meeting on December 11 from 6-8pm at La Cucina Italian restaurant
- Councilor Melton asked for follow-up on e-bike rebate program
- Mayor Pro Tem Forte asked for staff update on Woodside Drive stub closure
- Mayor Cowell asked to defer appointments and nominations until January because she and Councilor Silver only got emails working today and haven’t had time to review
- Proposed Revisions to Noise and Nightlife Permit Ordinances will be on the consent agenda at first meeting in January
- Public comments focused on the NC General Assembly’s move to restrict municipal zoning powers, recent elections, Bus Rapid Transit, development around Shaw and St. Aug, homelessness, and international issues.
- Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development – FY 2026-30 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan — This was the first public hearing focused on needs assessment. Additional community engagement will take place before a second public hearing in April, with adoption in May. Staff will incorporate public comment in next draft.
- Petition Annexation- AX-25-24- Non-Contiguous Inside ETJ – 2523 Mid Pines Road (District D) — approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Jones opposed
- Rezoning Z-21-24/TCZ-21-24 : 600 Grove Avenue, 601 & 609 Carolina Avenue; one-tenth mile south of Western Boulevard, between Carolina and Grove Avenues (District D) — unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-24-24: Birch Ridge Road, southwestern quadrant of the intersection of Poole Road and I-87 (District C) — unanimously approved
Afternoon Session
A. 1:00 P.M. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
B. ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES – 2024-26 CITY COUNCIL TERM
1. Election of Mayor Pro Tem – Stormie Forte
2. Committee Assignments will be posted on the website
3. Other Announcements – none
C. CONSENT AGENDA
- Details at end of report
- Unanimously approved
K. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at City Council on January 21, at 1:00 P.M.
- Rezoning Z-17-24 — 4325 Tryon Road (District D) (Held Open from November 19)
2. Rezoning Z-28-24: Forestville Road, 1/2 mile north of the intersection of Forestville and Louisburg Roads (District C) – scheduled January 7 public hearing
L. SPECIAL ITEMS
1. Council Contingency – Council Member Items
- No action today
M. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Public Notice of Official Meetings – Annual Schedule of Regular Meetings – Calendar Year 2025
- Retreat scheduled for January 24 & 25
- Unanimously approved
2. Project Update – Raleigh City Hall – Brasfield & Gorrie Construction Manager at Risk – Amendment No. Four and Public Art Contract
- Unanimously authorized more than $11M in additional funds for new City Hall building project to add an extra floor as well as public art
N. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BOARD
1. Annual Work Plan
- Unanimously approved
O. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND GREENWAY ADVISORY BOARD
1. Naming of Park Facility – Crabtree Creek Greenway West Suspension Bridge – Petition
- Unanimously authorized naming of the Crabtree Creek West Greenway suspension bridge as the “Todd B. Delk Memorial Bridge”
2. Parks Plan Update
- Unanimously approved
3. John Chavis Memorial Park Phase II, John P. Top Greene – Schematic Design and South Park Heritage Trail – Concept Design
- Unanimously approved
P. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING (AFTERNOON SESSION)
1. Rezoning Z-29-24: 1025 Schaub Drive, approximately ½ mile southwest of the intersection of Western Boulevard and the I-440 Beltline (District D)
- Unanimously approved
Q. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending and no meetings currently scheduled
R. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending and no meetings currently scheduled
S. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending and no meetings currently scheduled
T. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending and no meetings currently scheduled
U. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Councilor Harrison’s next District D Neighborhood Alliance (DDNA) meeting will be Saturday, January 18, at 9:30am (no meeting in December)
- Councilor Branch wants to do a District C Town Hall in late Spring and will hold District C meetings leading up to that. Asked for information on what areas of the City are out of fire response times.
- Councilor Jones will hold her next monthly meeting on December 11 from 6-8pm at La Cucina Italian restaurant
- Councilor Melton asked for follow-up on e-bike rebate program
- Mayor Pro Tem Forte asked for staff update on Woodside Drive stub closure
V. APPOINTMENTS
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Fair Housing Hearing Board – One Regular Vacancy
3. Fair Housing Hearing Board – One Regular Vacancy (Tenant Slot)
4. Human Relations Commission – One Alternate Vacancy
W. NOMINATIONS
1. Environmental Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy
2. Historical Resources and Museums Advisory Board – Two Regular Vacancies
3. Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs Board – One Regular Vacancy (Professional Member Category)
X. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
1. Proposed Revisions to Noise and Nightlife Permit Ordinances
- The proposed changes:
- Require a noise violator to turn down the sound immediately after receiving a noise citation and to comply with a law enforcement officer’s direction to reduce sound if the level increases to an unlawful level. Each refusal to turn down the sound is a separate offense.
- Require any nightlife establishment that receives a noise citation to keep amplified sound inside a structure for twenty-four (24) hours.
- Revise the appeal process for civil noise violations so that appeals are decided by the City Manager or the Manager’s designee, as is typical in the City Code.
- Will be on the consent agenda at first meeting in January
Y. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Minutes – Various
Z. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter into Closed Session
AA. OPEN SESSION
1. Return to Open Session
2. Recess Meeting
Evening Session
BB. 7:00 P.M. EVENING AGENDA
CC. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Rules of Decorum for Public Comment
2. Voice Mail Public Comment
- Public comments focused on the NC General Assembly’s move to restrict municipal zoning powers, recent elections, Bus Rapid Transit, development around Shaw and St. Aug, homelessness, and international issues.
DD. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development – FY 2026-30 Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan
- This was the first public hearing focused on needs assessment. Additional community engagement will take place before a second public hearing in April, with adoption in May. Staff will incorporate public comment in next draft.
2. Petition Annexation- AX-25-24- Non-Contiguous Inside ETJ – 2523 Mid Pines Road (District D) — approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Jones opposed
3. Rezoning Z-21-24/TCZ-21-24 : 600 Grove Avenue, 601 & 609 Carolina Avenue; one-tenth mile south of Western Boulevard, between Carolina and Grove Avenues (District D) — unanimously approved
4. Rezoning Z-24-24: Birch Ridge Road, southwestern quadrant of the intersection of Poole Road and I-87 (District C) — unanimously approved
EE. ADJOURNMENT
- Adjourn Meeting
C. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
2. Historic Landmark Designation – Charles and Maude Heck House (200 Hawthorne Road)
3. Historic Landmark Designation – Elizabeth Hunter and William Henley Deitrick House 2 (1900 McDonald Lane)
D. CONSENT AGENDA – PETITION ANNEXATIONS
1. Petition Annexation- AX-20-24- Contiguous Outside ETJ – 2608 Forestville Road (District B)
E. CONSENT AGENDA – GRANTS
1. Federal Transit Administration – Southern and Western Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors Project Development Grants
2. Grant Application – NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources – Lake Wheeler Park – Water Resources Development Grant
3. Grant Award – National Park Service – Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program – Walnut Creek Wetland Park
F. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Professional Services – Wake Bus Rapid Transit Western Corridor Final Design Contract – Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. – Amendment No. One
2. Professional Services – MSA for On-Call Engineering Services – CDM Smith Inc. – Amendment No. Four
3. Professional Services – Fire Station No. 1 and Fire Administration Building – Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC
4. Contract Services – Homelessness Prevention, Diversion, and Rapid Exit Services – Various Vendors
5. Contract Services – EnerGov –Tyler Technology, Inc. – Amendment No. Seven
6. Contract Services – Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System Integration and Maintenance Services – CITI, LLC
7. Contract Services – Biosolids Composting Services – McGill Environmental Systems of NC, Inc.
8. Contract Services – On-Call Maintenance and Support Services – Various Vendors
9. Contract Services – Recreation Management System Software – RecTrac LLC – Amendment No. Two
10. Contract Services – Employee Dental Plan Administration – Delta Dental of North Carolina
11. Contract Services – Wheeler Tract Watershed Protection Project – Tar River Land Conservancy
G. CONSENT AGENDA – ENCROACHMENT REQUESTS
1. 1000 Social Street – Wayfinding Signage
H. CONSENT AGENDA – BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS
1. Budget Amendment – Donation – Moore Square Play Equipment
I. CONSENT AGENDA – BIDS
1. Bid Award – Wakefield Trail Improvement Project – Fred Smith Company
J. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Speed Limit Reductions
2. Multi-way Stops
3. Curbside Pickup Zone – 200 East Martin Street
4. Rush Hour – No Parking Zone – Brentwood Road
5. Police Vehicle Parking Zone – 00 East Davie Street