City Council Afternoon Session

Christopher Golden, Planning and Development

.

The following annexation petition has been received by the city. The property is locatedwithin the Priority Annexation Boundary established by Resolution 2025-717. Additionalinformation is included with the agenda materials. This property was last rezoned in June of 2025.

Sylvester Percival, Engineering Services

.

Cheswick Drive bridge is a 28 ft long by 35 ft wide steel and reinforced concrete structure carrying two lanes of traffic and two cantilevered timber sidewalks over the Big Branch stream. The bridge also serves as the means of access to nine homes in the adjacent residential subdivision. The city identified the need to replace this bridge as a result of a 2018 inspection report by NCDOT.

.

On October 1, 2024, City Council authorized staff to execute a NCDOT Bridge Formula Program (BFP) grant in the amount of $2,250,000 to provide 100% federal share funding through this program to replace the existing Cheswick Drive bridge. A municipal agreement for the Cheswick Drive bridge replacement project was executed on January 27, 2025 with NCDOT in the amount of $2,250,000.

.

On April 11, 2025 staff received proposals from twelve firms for the Cheswick Drive Bridge Replacement project. After review of proposals, the Engineering Services Department propose the selection of RK&K pending concurrence and approval of the scope and fee, currently undergoing an extensive review by NC DOT.

Sylvester Percival, Engineering Services

.

The Lake Wheeler Road Improvements Project consists of widening the existing roadway to a 2-lane divided road with a median, curb and gutter, roundabouts, multi-use path and sidewalk. It aims to increase connectivity for all users and a custom streetscape to Dorothea Dix Park. The project extends from the intersection with Maywood Drive to Dorothea Drive. The 2022 Parks Bond is the source for approximately $20.8 million to cover the cost to deliver the project.

.

Staff is requesting a $707,190 contract amendment with STV, Incorporated. The additionalfunding will facilitate roadway design modifications necessitated by railroad safety requirements, ongoing coordination with Phase 2 of the Weld Development and collaborative efforts with City Stormwater staff relating to existing flooding downstream from the project. The amendment covers adjustments to roadway alignments, hydraulic design, railroad signal preemption design, traffic control, signing and utility coordination. Funds are available in the project account to accommodate the amendment.

.

Benjamin Griffin, Transportation

A Request for Qualifications was advertised September 16, 2025 to secure professional services for Automated Pavement Data Collection to meet the City’s goal for bi-annual pavement condition survey. The Department of Transportation began automated pavement data collection in 2019 with the establishment of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E3303 standard. This program collects condition data in an objective manner, including crack density, ride quality and rutting. This objective data is used to drive quantitative decision making for treatments on the City’s 1,157 miles of streets. This contract approval will function as a continuation of that program until FY2031.

On October 17, 2025, six (6) statements of qualification were received. All statements of qualification were evaluated by staff, and the evaluation committee recommends award of a contract to International Cybernetics Company, LP d/b/a IMS Infrastructure Management Services.

Terms of the contract include a three-year term with two optional one-year renewals.

Scott Smart, Raleigh Water

Staff recommends multiple master service agreements (MSAs) for on-call electrical support services. Following a request for proposal issued on October 31, 2025, two proposals were received for on-call electrical support services for water and wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and lift stations. These responses were evaluated, and the committee recommends the selection of the contractors listed below to provide these on-call and emergency services:

– Neikens Electrical Contracting, LLC: Not to exceed $750,000
– White Electrical Construction Company: Not to exceed $2,350,000

Staff will utilize contractors strategically to procure services for specific projects that cannot be efficiently managed by our internal staff. These contracts will function as on-call master service agreements and will not encumber any funds initially. The projects will be funded through operational funds and planned Capital Improvement Project funds. Additional details are available with the agenda materials.

Willistine Hedgepeth, Engineering Services

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised September 25, 2025 to solicit qualified firms to provide moving services to transition City staff from five facilities, three City-owned and two leased, into the new 17-story City Hall. The scope of services included move planning, coordination, physical move execution, and asset removal for disposition.

The initial solicitation closed October 22, 2025, with four proposals received. During the evaluation process, the review committee identified significant inconsistencies in pricing, interpretations of the scope of services to be provided, and incomplete RFP responses. After consultation with the City Attorney’s Office, the committee determined that ambiguities in the original RFP language warranted rejection of all proposals.

A revised RFP, incorporating clear scope definitions, deliverables, and pricing requirements was re-advertised December 16, 2025. Eight proposals were received and evaluated by a multi-departmental staff review panel. Based on the evaluation results, the selection committee recommends awarding the contract to 35° North. A budget amendment is necessary to appropriate capital reserves to provide adequate funding for the services contract.

Daniel King, Transportation

.

From time to time the City receives requests from private property owners, firms, or corporations to encroach upon publicly maintained right-of-way for special construction, utility conveyances, monitoring wells, etc. Staff reviews these requests and upon satisfactorily meeting administrative and regulatory requirements, submits major encroachments to the City Council for authorization and approval.

.

The property owner at 101 Enterprise Street wishes to install landscaping and associated drip irrigation system in the right-of-way of Enterprise Street and Clark Avenue. These proposed encroachments have been identified as part of SPR-0340-2025. Staff has reviewed this request and has no concerns with the instillation of the proposed encroachment in the public right-of-way.

Dawn Myers, Police

Provided for in the lease agreement of the new Downtown District station, located at 111 W. Hargett Street, the property owner has agreed to provide an allowance of $156,140 to be applied toward the tenant’s actual, out-of-pocket costs for moving, data cabling, signage, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

The property owner will reimburse these costs upon receipt of required proofs of purchase and payment. A budget transfer/amendment is necessary in the amount of $156,140 to appropriate these funds.

Kerry Painter, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex

The City has received an advance on repair and restoration in the amount of $1,000,000 from Zurich Insurance Group for ongoing recovery work at the Raleigh Convention Center. A budget amendment is required to appropriate the funds. This is the second advance received, in January Council took action to appropriate $2,000,000 in insurance proceeds associated with the December 2025 fire event.

James Walters, Engineering Services

Six Proposals were received on January 8, 2026, for the Lake Johnson Pool Bathhouse Renovation project. The project includes selective demolition and construction to renovate the Lake Johnson Pool bathhouse, encompassing general construction, life safety, plumbing, and electrical, as well as limited site and mechanical work.

William Shumaker, Transportation

.

The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) was established with a goal of increasing the safety and vibrancy along neighborhood streets. The three components used by the NTMP are speed limit reductions, all-way stop conversions, and traffic calming projects.

.

One of the components, all-way stop evaluations, are conducted by requests. When warranted, conversion to all-way stop can improve the operation of an intersection and increases safety by reducing conflicts.

.

Staff received a citizen request for an all-way stop evaluation at the intersections of Coleman Street at Postell Street & Watauga Street at Virginia Avenue. An engineering evaluation was conducted to determine if an all-way stop was warranted. The intersection recommended meets and/or exceeds the criteria specified in Section 4 of the NTMP policy adopted by the Raleigh City Council. All-way stops do not further restrict on-street parking. An existing ordinance already restricts parking by 25 feet for all intersection approaches. All residents directly abutting these intersections have been notified. Upon approval, the Traffic Schedule should be amended effective seven days after Council action.

William Shumaker, Transportation

The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) was established with a goal of increasing the safety and vibrancy of Raleigh’s neighborhood streets. Speed limit reductions resident requested and are the first step in the broader traffic calming process and are usually effective enough that no further action is needed.

Staff engages all properties abutting the street in the speed limit reduction process and solicits input from those residents through mailers. Resident support is represented below by showing the total number of ballots sent to the abutting properties and the number of “no” responses received per street:

– Dana Drive/Fort Sumter Road – 8 ballots sent with 0 no votes

– Pecan Road – 37 ballots sent with 0 no votes

Engineering evaluations were conducted, and staff recommends that the speed limits be reduced.

Tony Howard, Transportation

.

Staff recommends establishing a No Stopping No Standing Zone along sections of Hilburn Drive between Thornhill Pines Road and Pike Road to address ongoing safety and operational issues related to school pickup and drop-off at Hilburn Drive Academy. Despite recent pavement marking changes, parents continue to block travel lanes, stop within hashed areas, and create unsafe conditions. Existing No Parking regulations allow loading and unloading, limiting effective enforcement. The proposed restriction would prohibit all stopping, standing, and parking, enabling clearer enforcement and improving safety and traffic flow.

.

All affected property owners were notified, and one concern was received from the sole fronting property owner at 7601 Hilburn Drive. Staff conducted onsite meetings and explored alternatives, but no mutually agreeable solution was reached. Given the limited response and persistent safety issues, staff recommends proceeding with the original proposal.

Tony Howard, Transportation

.

It is recommended that No Parking zones be established along the west side of South Saunders Street at Grissom Street to improve sight distance and intersection safety. A sight-line evaluation confirmed that parked vehicles obstruct drivers’ ability to see oncoming traffic when exiting Grissom Street. During the review, staff also identified unenforceable fifteen (15)-minute parking signage along the 1200 block of South Saunders Street and, in coordination with the adjacent property owner, recommended replacing it with a codified thirty (30)-minute time limit to support short-term customer parking. No objections were received from notified property owners. The proposed changes will convert two (2) unregulated spaces to 30-minute time-limited parking and remove approximately seven (7) unregulated spaces, resulting in improved safety for motorists and pedestrians.

Tony Howard, Transportation

.

Due to ongoing public safety, emergency access, and operational concerns associated with overnight parking and the relocation of derelict vehicles from Brewton Place to Old Trawick Way, staff recommend establishing a No Parking 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Tow-Away restriction on both sides of Old Trawick Way. This measure is intended to preserve nighttime emergency access while maintaining daytime parking availability for adjacent businesses. Affected property owners were notified and no objections were received. The proposed restriction would affect twenty-four (24) parking spaces during overnight hours only.

Tony Howard, Transportation

Following a citizen request regarding limited accessibility between the City Market Parking Lot and nearby businesses, staff evaluated the City Market area and identified a feasible location for a designated ADA parking space along the east side of the 300 block of Blake Street near Wolfe Street. Due to historic streetscape constraints, few locations met accessibility standards; however, the recommended space provides compliant sidewalk widths, slopes, and direct access to an accessible pedestrian route without significant modifications.

Affected property owners were notified, and the requesting citizen expressed support for the proposal. Staff recommend converting one existing. two-hour unmetered parking space to ADA accessible parking to improve equitable access to the corridor. Upon approval, the Traffic Schedule would be amended effective seven days after Council action.