HIGHLIGHTS
- During the work session, staff provided an update about improving communications during emergencies and crises
- Public Comment topics included gun violence, dog parks, budget listening sessions, infrastructure issues, and homelessness.
- Unanimously approved advancing Resolution of Support to NCDOT for recognizing the late Conen Morgan by naming Interstate 440 Interchange at US-1/US-401 in his memory
- Unanimously approved appropriation of additional funding ($546,114) for ongoing implementation of the CARES (Crisis Alternative Response for Empathy and Support) pilot program; authorized contract with the Alliance Health service provide to establish a Crisis Call Diversion Line. They will hire, train, and supervise licensed clinicians to provide over-the-phone support, triage, de-escalation, resource connection, and follow-up for callers. Authorized a budget transfer in the amount of $322,244 to cover program enhancements.
- The City Council Planning retreat will take place from 9am to 4pm on January 24 & 25 at the Pioneers Building at Method Community Park, 514 Method Road in Raleigh. See below for agenda topics.
- Nikki Jones, who previously worked for the City of Raleigh, named as new Assistant City Manager
- Public Nuisance Abatements – Property Liens – unanimously approved
- Rezoning Z-17-24: 4325 Tryon Road (District D) (Withdrawn)
- Councilor Branch asked for website updates on progress against bond referendums and on utilization of Convention Center and other City properties as well
- Councilor Jones will hold her next District meeting on 2/12 from 6-8pm at La Cucina and her first book club meeting on 2/22 from 9:30-11:30am. There will be a Five Points Streetscape Study meeting in March.
- Mayor Cowell asked for an update on how City property is being used/could be used for housing. Also asked for an update on Fair Housing for the entire Council.
- Councilor Silver has gotten a lot of email with complaints about pan-handling and will respond. Will be attending Midtown CAC on Monday.
- Councilor Patton will hold office hours on 2/8 from 10-12 at TBD. Announced Forestville Road Park Community Advisory Group is forming; deadline to apply is 2/21. Asked for update on process for adopting an alternative City flag.
- Councilor Lambert-Melton asked for information on funding required to upgrade dog park fencing. Asked staff to help coordinate with One Wake for a visit to a housing project in NY.
- Unanimously approved council appointments to external agencies (see details below)
WORK SESSION
A. 11:30 A.M. WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Emergency Public Information and Crisis Communications
- The Communications Department has worked closely over the past year with the Fire Department’s Emergency Management Division, Police Department, and other departments to develop the City’s Emergency Public Information Plan, train staff, and develop or strengthen tools available to reach community members in critical times. As the population of Raleigh approaches 500,000 residents, this preparation is critical particularly in the area of communications. This work session will provide the City Council with an opportunity to learn about these ongoing efforts.
AFTERNOON SESSION
B. 1:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION CALLED TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR
1. Pledge of Allegiance
C. CONSENT AGENDA
- Unanimously approved after discussion of G2
- See details at end of document
K. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Rules of Decorum for Public Comment
2. Voice Mail Public Comment
- Topics included gun violence, dog parks, budget listening sessions, infrastructure issues, and homelessness.
L. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Planning Commission Report
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at City Council on February 4, 2025, at 7 pm
- Development Agreement – Greenway Easement – 5009 Louisburg Road – Olde Towne WEH LP (Associated with Rezoning Z-04-24)
- Street Closing STC-06-2024 – Rocky Branch Creek Drive Right-of-Way
- Street Closing STC-07-2024 – Portion of Common oaks Drive Right-of-Way
- Rezoning Z-17-24 4325 Tryon Road
- Rezoning Z-4-24 Louisburg Road
- Rezoning Z-20-24 Chappel Drive
- Rezoning Z-27-24 Town Drive
- Rezoning TCZ-30-24 Crabtree Village
- Rezoning Z-34-24 Clarendon Crescent
The following items are scheduled for public hearing at City Council on February 18, 2025, at 1pm
- Street Name Change – Chester Road, southern por
M. SPECIAL ITEMS
1. Resolution of Support – NCDOT – Naming of Interstate 440 Interchange at US-1/US-401
- Unanimously approved advancing Resolution of Support to NCDOT for recognizing the late Conen Morgan by naming Interstate 440 Interchange at US-1/US-401 in his memory
N. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY MANAGER
1. Raleigh CARES Update
- Unanimously approved appropriation of additional funding ($546,114) for ongoing implementation of the CARES (Crisis Alternative Response for Empathy and Support) pilot program; authorized contract with the Alliance Health service provide to establish a Crisis Call Diversion Line. They will hire, train, and supervise licensed clinicians to provide over-the-phone support, triage, de-escalation, resource connection, and follow-up for callers. Authorized a budget transfer in the amount of $322,244 to cover program enhancements.
2. 2025 City Council Retreat – Update
- The retreat will take place from 9am to 4pm on January 24 & 25 at the Pioneers Building at Method Community Park, 514 Method Road in Raleigh.
- Topics for the retreat will be as follows:
- Friday, January 24
- Strategic Plan Update Presentation
- Legislative Agenda
- Budget and Financial Outlook (Bonds and Steady State)
- Public Comment Discussion
- Saturday, January 25
- Affordable Housing and Zoning
- Smart Growth and Annexations
- Boards and Commissions Discussion
- Operational Update from the City Manager
- Nikki Jones, who previously worked for the City of Raleigh, named as new Assistant City Manager
O. MATTERS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Nuisance Abatements – Property Liens – unanimously approved
2. Rezoning Z-17-24: 4325 Tryon Road (District D) (Withdrawn)
P. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending
Q. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending
R. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE SAFE, VIBRANT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
1. No Items Pending
S. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT COMMITTEE
1. No Report
2. Items Pending
T. REPORT OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
1. Individual Reports from the Mayor and Council Members
- Councilor Branch asked for website updates on progress against bond referendums and on utilization of Convention Center and other City properties as well
- Councilor Jones will hold her next District meeting on 2/12 from 6-8pm at La Cucina and her first book club meeting on 2/22 from 9:30-11:30am. There will be a Five Points Streetscape Study meeting in March.
- Mayor Cowell asked for an update on how City property is being used/could be used for housing. Also asked for an update on Fair Housing for the entire Council.
- Councilor Silver has gotten a lot of email with complaints about pan-handling and will respond. Will be attending Midtown CAC on Monday.
- Councilor Patton will hold office hours on 2/8 from 10-12 at TBD. Announced Forestville Road Park Community Advisory Group is forming; deadline to apply is 2/21. Asked for update on process for adopting an alternative City flag.
- Councilor Lambert-Melton asked for information on funding required to upgrade dog park fencing. Asked staff to help coordinate with One Wake for a visit to a housing project in NY.
U. APPOINTMENTS
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Environmental Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy
3. Fair Housing Hearing Board – One Regular Vacancy (Tenant Slot)
4. Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs Board – One Alternate Vacancy (Professional Member Category)
5. Human Relations Commission – One Alternate Vacancy
V. NOMINATIONS
1. Arts Commission – One Regular Vacancy
2. Historic Cemeteries Advisory Board – One Regular Vacancy
3. Human Relations Commission – Two Regular Vacancies
4. Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board – Two Regular Vacancies
5. Raleigh Transit Authority – One Regular Vacancy
W. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
X. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY CLERK
1. Council Appointments – External Agencies
Agency | Council Designate | Alternate (If applicable) |
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) | Janet Cowell | Alternate Designee required |
Central Pines Regional Council | Mitchell Silver | Alternate Designee preferred |
Blue Ridge Corridor Alliance | Christina Jones | N/A |
Downtown Raleigh Alliance | Janet Cowell | N/A |
Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation | Jane Harrison | N/A |
Terns of current appointees to the following agencies are listed for information: | ||
North Carolina League of Municipalities | Term of Jonathan Melton expires in April 2025 | Stormie Forte |
Go Triangle Board of Trustees | Terms of current appointees expire November 2025 (Mary-Ann Baldwin) and November 2027 (Corey Branch), respectively. |
2. Minutes
Y. CLOSED SESSION
1. Enter Closed Session
Z. OPEN SESSION
1. Return to Open Session
2. Adjourn Meeting
CONSENT AGENDA
C. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Consent Agenda Process
D. CONSENT AGENDA – PETITION ANNEXATIONS
1. Petition Annexation- AX-24-24 – Contiguous Inside ETJ – 5901 Jefferey’s Grove School Road and 5829 Creedmoor Road (District A)
2. Petition Annexation- AX-28-24 – Contiguous Inside ETJ – 3716, 3800 Auburn Church Road (District C)
3. Petition Annexation- AX-29-24 – Contiguous Inside ETJ – 2312 & 2316 Trawick Road, 2315 Andor Place (District C)
4. Petition Annexation- AX-30-24 – Contiguous Inside ETJ – 2900 Creech Road (District C)
E. CONSENT AGENDA – REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 – Educational Assets – Lindenwood Education System
F. CONSENT AGENDA – CONTRACTS AND CONSULTANT SERVICES
1. Professional Services Tarboro Road Community Center Redevelopment Project – Design Services – Amendment No. 1 – HH Architecture, P.A.
2. Professional Services – Master Service Agreements for On-Call Professional Design Services – Innovative Design, Inc. – Amendment Number One
3. Professional Services – Master Service Agreements for On-Call Professional Design Services – HH Architecture, PA – Amendment Number Three
4. Professional Services – Master Service Agreements for On-Call Professional Design Services – Terracon Consultants, Inc. – Amendment Number One
5. Contract Services – Gas Monitor Program – Blackline Safety Corporation
6. Contract Services – Environmental, Health and Safety, Quality Management Software – Intelex Technologies, ULC
7. Contract Services – EM Johnson WTP and remote sites Instrumentation Services – FCX Performance Inc., dba Instrumentation Services
G. CONSENT AGENDA – ENCROACHMENT REQUESTS
1. 6750 Perry Creek Road – Heating and Cooling pipes
2. 326 Hillsborough Street – Sidewalk pavers
3. 709 Harris Street – Pollinator Garden
H. CONSENT AGENDA – BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS
1. Grant Award – North Carolina Amateur Sports
2. Budget Amendment – Poole Road Improvement Project
I. CONSENT AGENDA – BIDS
1. Bid Award – Group 7 Sidewalk and Roadway Improvements (Oxford Road, Plainview Avenue & Vale Street, Norris Street, and Inglewood Lane) Lanier Construction Company, Inc.
J. CONSENT AGENDA – TRAFFIC
1. Speed Limit Reductions
2. Two Hour Parking Time Limits –Seaboard Station Block A
3. No Parking Tow Away Zone – 500 W Hargett Street