Highlights from December 2, 2025 City Council meeting.
It’s Up to City Council Now
The RCAC has done its part. It is now up to the Council to bring this across the finish line. Yes, the additional benefits outlined in the Tier approach carry a cost, but this is not because of the addition of the CACs. The additional cost burden is because the benefits are being applied across the entire Engagement Network so that other organizations can share those same benefits that the CACs have enjoyed in the past.
Mayor Cowell talked compromise for 6 months. What happened?
The approval of Z-12-25 was a huge disappointment to many of the residents in Raleigh’s neighborhoods. What is most disappointing is that there was a workable compromise that would have respected all parties.
Restoring CACs to their Unique & Historic Role
As far back as the Council Retreat in January 2024, the one thing that was requested to properly restore CACs was to get a seat at the table. The intent was to meet with all City departments that had a role in restoring some of the privileges that CACs had before they were suspended in 2020. To date, that has not happened.
August 19, 2025 City Council Meetings
Highlights from August 19, 2025 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Meeting
2nd neighborhood meeting
I attended the 2nd Neighborhood Meeting for the West Street Tower (Z-12-25). It was strictly limited to one hour and worse yet, the Planning Department’s full report including the Statement of Consistency with city policies was not available. It was a one-sided presentation of the developer’s opinions. The residents had no information from the city to challenge any claims made by the developer.
April 15 City Council Meetings
Highlights from the April 15 City Council Work Session and Afternoon Session
March 18 City Council Meetings
Highlights from the March 18 Work Session and Afternoon Session
Another Missed Opportunity for Community Engagement
CACs are the perfect forum for these budget discussions because they will broadcast the presentation to a wider audience than the sessions that were offered earlier in the year. Community Engagement is one of the core objectives of CACs, acting as a medium for information between residents, staff and City Administration. I don’t know of any other community group that can offer those same capabilities. The City should be jumping at the chance to take this opportunity.
New Community Engagement Support at One-Year Anniversary
A year ago on February 6, 2024 City Council approved a motions to restore City support and official recognition of Raleigh’s Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs). The vote to approve the motion was unanimous.