HIGHLIGHTS
- Breaking news: According to Mayor Cowell during the February 4 evening meeting, even though Council made some decisions about public comments during the afternoon meeting (keeping the start time at 7pm on the second Tuesday and introducing a different process for digital media), they apparently intend to take up the amount of time allotted for comments in two weeks, which would mean at the February 18 afternoon meeting.
- In response to Councilor Jones about filling upcoming vacancies on Planning Commission, PC Chair suggests confirming time capacity and availability of candidates, as well as experience in housing and development in general, housing affordability, developers, realtors, real estate finance, architects, attorneys, and people good with communicating to the general public.
- Unanimously accepted a grant in the amount of $80,000 from the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Program to provide an estimated additional 40-60 vouchers for the E-Bike Rebate Program.
- Unanimously approved work plans for Arts Commission and Public Art and Design Board
- Transportation and Transit Committee will meet on Thursday, 2/20, from 3-5pm, on NCDOT high crash intersections and pedestrian improvements at East Whitaker Mill Road and Atlantic Avenue; Councilor Harrison will be allowed to attend at the Council Table, even though she is not a committee member, as she brought up the issue
- Councilor Patton will hold office hours on 2/8 from 10am-12n at Bedford Food and Drink
- Councilor Branch will hold a District C meeting on 2/12 at 6:30pm at Sanderford Road Park.
- Councilor Jones will hold a District E meeting on 2/12 from 6-8pm at La Cucina. District E Book Club will meet on 2/15. Has been meeting with RCAC Chair and says CACs are in the forefront of everyone’s mind.
- Mayor Cowell reiterated importance of CACs and said new Assistant City Manager Nikki Jones will be working on it.
- Unanimously approved City Attorney’s recommendation to clarify the purpose of public comments.
- Councilor Lambert-Melton motioned that digital images be allowed in certain formats and size limitations, but not for public showing during the meeting. These would be uploaded to Board Docs and viewable by Council members and the public. Approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Jones opposed.
- Councilor Lambert-Melton motioned that public comments be held from 6-8pm on the second Tuesday. Councilors Jones, Harrison, and Patton asked that this be held until public can weigh in. Motion failed 4 to 4 because Jones, Harrison, and Patton wanted to wait until public can weigh in. Mayor Pro-Tem Forte voted against the motion because she thought an hour would be enough. After hearing results from previous survey, decided to leave public comments at 7pm for 3 hours.
- Appointed Jonathan Lambert-Melton as Alternate representative to CAMPO and Corey Branch as alternate representative to the Central Pines Regional Council.
- Street Closing STC-06-2024: Rocky Branch Creek Drive Right-of-Way – Unanimously approved
- Street Closing STC-07-2024: Portion of Common Oaks Drive Right-of-Way – Unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-04-24: 5009 Louisburg Road, approximately 200 feet south of the intersection of Fox Road and Louisburg Road and south of I-540 (District B) – At applicant’s request, hearing held open until February 18
- Development Agreement DA-1-25: 5009 Louisburg Road (Rezoning Case Z-04-24) – At applicant’s request, hearing held open until February 18
- Rezoning Z-20-24: 721 Chappell Drive; approximately 1/5 mile south of the intersection of Avent Ferry Road and Chappell Drive (District D) – At applicant’s request, hearing held open until February 18
- Rezoning Z-27-24: Town Drive and Triangle Town Boulevard, 1,000 ft south of the intersection of Triangle Town Boulevard and I-540 (District B) – Unanimously approved
- Text Change to Zoning Conditions TCZ-30-24 (Z-30-24): Crabtree Village PD, the block bounded by Homewood Banks Drive, Blue Ridge Road, and Crabtree Valley Avenue, which is south of Crabtree Valley Mall (District E) – Unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-34-24: 118, 122, and 126 Clarendon Crescent; approximately 500 feet north of the intersection of New Bern Avenue and Clarendon Crescent/Farris Court (District C) – Unanimously approved
AFTERNOON SESSION
A. 1:00 P.M. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
B. CONSENT AGENDA
- See details below
- Unanimously approved
J. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at City Council on February 18, 2025, at 1pm:
- Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 — Educational Assets — Lindenwood Education System
- Annexation AX-24-24 — 5901 Jefferey’s Grove School Road and 5829 Creedmoor Road (District A)
- Annexation AX-28-24 — 3716, 3800 Auburn Church Road (District C)
- Annexation AX-29-24 — 2312 & 2316 Trawick Road, 2315 Andor Place (District C)
- Annexation AX-30-24 — 2900 Creech Road (District C)
- Street Name Change — Chester Road, southern portion – Name Change to Pettiford Road
2. Rezoning Z-12-24: Old Crews Road & Old Milburnie Road Assemblage, 1 mile north of the intersection of Buffaloe and Old Crews Roads (District B) – scheduled March 4 public hearing
3. Rezoning Z-32-24 4020 Sumner Boulevard, at the intersection of Sumner Boulevard and Wake Hills Lane (District B) – will set hearing at next meeting
4. Rezoning: Z-36-24: 9000 & 9004 Litchford Road, being Wake County PINS 1718834027, 1718832149 – scheduled March 4 public hearing
5. Rezoning Z-37-24: 326 Chapanoke Road; East of the intersection of South Wilmington Street (US-70 and US-401) and Chapanoke Road (District D) – scheduled March 4 public hearing
- In response to Councilor Jones about filling upcoming vacancies on Planning Commission, PC Chair suggests confirming time capacity and availability of candidates, as well as experience in housing and development in general, housing affordability, developers, realtors, real estate finance, architects, attorneys, and people good with communicating to the general public.
K. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Raleigh E-Bike Rebate Program – Additional Vouchers – Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Grant
- Unanimously accepted a grant in the amount of $80,000 from the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Program to provide an estimated additional 40-60 vouchers for the E-Bike Rebate Program.
L. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE RALEIGH ARTS COMMISSION
1. Annual Work Plans – Arts Commission – Public Art and Design Board
- Unanimously approved work plans
M. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending
N. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending
O. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending
P. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
- Meeting will be held on Thursday, 2/20, from 3-5pm, on NCDOT high crash intersections and pedestrian improvements at East Whitaker Mill Road and Atlantic Avenue
- Councilor Harrison will be allowed to attend at the Council Table, even though she is not a committee member, as she brought up the issue
Q. REPORT FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Councilor Silver asked for more information about Smoky Hollow Park.
- Councilor Patton will hold office hours on 2/8 from 10am-12n at Bedford Food and Drink
- Councilor Branch will hold a District C meeting on 2/12 at 6:30pm at Sanderford Road Park.
- Councilor Jones will hold a District E meeting on 2/12 from 6-8pm at La Cucina. Book Club meeting on 2/15. Has been meeting with RCAC Chair and says CACs are in the forefront of everyone’s mind.
- Mayor Cowell reiterated importance of CACs and said new Assistant City Manager Nikki Long will be working on it.
R. APPOINTMENTS
1. Human Relations Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Human Relations Commission – Two Alternate Vacancies
3. Raleigh Transit Authority – One Alternate Vacancy
S. NOMINATIONS
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – Four Regular Vacancies
2. Design Review Commission – One Regular Vacancy
3. Environmental Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy
4. Planning Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
T. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
1. Retreat Follow Up – Public Comment Sessions
- Robust discussion about public comments.
- Councilor Harrison asked that the public be allowed to weigh in before any decisions are taken.
- Unanimously approved City Attorney’s recommendation to clarify the purpose of public comments.
- Councilor Lambert-Melton motioned that digital images be allowed in certain formats and size limitations, but not for public showing during the meeting. These would be uploaded to Board Docs and viewable by Council members and the public. Approved 7 to 1 with Councilor Jones opposed.
- Councilor Lambert-Melton motioned that public comments be held from 6-8pm on the second Tuesday. Councilors Jones, Harrison, and Patton asked that this be held until public can weigh in. Motion failed 4 to 4 because Jones, Harrison, and Patton wanted to wait until public can weigh in. Mayor Pro-Tem Forte voted against the motion because she thought an hour would be enough. After hearing results from previous survey, decided to leave public comments at 7pm for 3 hours.
U. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Council Appointments – External Agencies – Designation of Alternates
Appointed Jonathan Lambert-Melton as Alternate representative to CAMPO and Corey Branch as alternate representative to the Central Pines Regional Council.
2. Minutes – Various
V. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter into Closed Session
W. OPEN SESSION
1. Return to Open Session
2. Recess Meeting
EVENING SESSION
X. 7:00 P.M. EVENING AGENDA
Y. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. Street Closing STC-06-2024: Rocky Branch Creek Drive Right-of-Way
- Unanimously approved
2. Street Closing STC-07-2024: Portion of Common Oaks Drive Right-of-Way
- Unanimously approved
3. Rezoning Z-04-24: 5009 Louisburg Road, approximately 200 feet south of the intersection of Fox Road and Louisburg Road and south of I-540 (District B)
- At applicant’s request, hearing held open until February 18
4. Development Agreement DA-1-25: 5009 Louisburg Road (Rezoning Case Z-04-24)
- At applicant’s request, hearing held open until February 18
5. Rezoning Z-20-24: 721 Chappell Drive; approximately 1/5 mile south of the intersection of Avent Ferry Road and Chappell Drive (District D)
- At applicant’s request, hearing held open until February 18
6. Rezoning Z-27-24: Town Drive and Triangle Town Boulevard, 1,000 ft south of the intersection of Triangle Town Boulevard and I-540 (District B)
- Unanimously approved
7. Text Change to Zoning Conditions TCZ-30-24 (Z-30-24): Crabtree Village PD, the block bounded by Homewood Banks Drive, Blue Ridge Road, and Crabtree Valley Avenue, which is south of Crabtree Valley Mall (District E)
- Unanimously approved
8. Rezoning Z-34-24: 118, 122, and 126 Clarendon Crescent; approximately 500 feet north of the intersection of New Bern Avenue and Clarendon Crescent/Farris Court (District C)
- Unanimously approved
Z. ADJOURNMENT
1. Adjourn Meeting
B. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
2. Sale of Surplus Property – Authorize Public Sale by Electronic Auction
3. City Code Revision – Utility Extensions Outside Corporate Limits, Water and Sewer Lines Required (Section 8-2063) and Repeal Fee in Lieu of Construction (Section 8-2065)
C. CONSENT AGENDA – GRANTS
1. Grant Award – Duke Energy Foundation – Weather Radios
D. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Contract Services – Regional Call Center – GoTriangle, City of Durham, Town of Cary and Town of Chapel Hill
2. Professional Services – Lake Wheeler Road Improvements – STV INC. – Contract Amendment No. Five
3. Professional Services – Smoky Hollow Park, Final Design Phase – Hazen and Sawyer, P.C.
4. Professional Services – Master Services Agreement for On-Call Engineering Services – HDR, Inc. – Amendment Number Two
5. Contract Services – Bioenergy Recovery Project Digester Gas Treatment System Maintenance – DMT Environmental Technology (DMT)
6. Contract Services – Annual Biometric Screenings for Medical Plan Participants – WakeMed Hospital
E. CONSENT AGENDA – STREET CLOSING REQUESTS
1. Street Closing STC-05-2024: East Whitaker Mill Road Right-of-Way
F. CONSENT AGENDA – BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS
1. FY25 Midyear Budget Ordinance Amendments – Operating, Grants, and Project Ordinances
G. CONSENT AGENDA – RIGHT-OF-WAY ITEMS – (CONDEMNATION REQUESTS)
1. GoRaleigh Bus Stop Improvement Program – Set 8 (Change Order) and Set 9
H. CONSENT AGENDA – BIDS
1. Bid Award – Spottswood Street Stormwater Control Measure Retrofit and Durant Nature Preserve Stream Restoration Project – Fluvial Solutions, Inc.
I. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Speed Limit Reductions
2. Controlled Residential “C” Permit Parking Expansion
3. No Parking Zones – Line of Sight – Morgause Drive