City Council - Regular Meeting

The Stanley Cup winning Carolina Hurricanes. And we have Brian Fork here, the Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Hurricanes Holdings. If he just wants to say a few words. And we really appreciate you, Brian, coming to City Hall, allowing all of us to get up close and personal with the Cup.

Mayor Cowell and council members, excited to be here today. Really fun for us to be able to bring the Stanley Cup down to City Hall. But really want to thank you all in the city for everything you've done for our team for the last four months of sort of getting to the end of the road in the playoffs, winning the cup, the celebrations, all of that. I also just want to acknowledge, I mean, we've got an amazing team, an amazing coaching staff that helped us win this cup. But it's worth noting the role that this body has had in creating the opportunity to even do this. Going back 30 years, it was this body that had the vision to step up and say, we want to bring an NHL team to Raleigh. which was not as obvious of an idea as it is right now. And so we wanna thank that crew from this body that did that. But then going back as recently as two and a half years ago and all along the way, you all in particular stepping up and reinvesting and doubling down on having the hurricanes here, the arena that we play in and giving us the opportunity to do these things. And then our ownership being able to partner with the city and say, we wanna do this and we wanna do this for the long term. And if not for, the vision of this body 30 years ago and you all stepping up and having that vision to continue to believe two and a half, three years ago, we wouldn't be here doing this. And that's why I think the watch parties that we had during the finals when the team was on the road and we've got 18,000 people in the arena, 12,000 people outside watching on a screen, red hats full, watch parties all around, and then 200,000 people showing up together at the parade downtown. That happened because what's special about this is, yeah, we have an amazing hockey team that got it done, an amazing staff, but that doesn't happen without the city and city councils for the last 30 years, the county, the county commission, the state, the hundreds of thousands of fans that we have that invest in the team on their own, our business partners. So this really... this doesn't happen without you guys it doesn't happen without our community it really is our community's championship the city the county the state's championship and so i just we're excited to be able to take it around town and the county and and let everybody see it because it is the collective win for all of us so thank you very much

And I know we're gonna have a photo op since we all dressed up for this, but I do just wanna thank Brian Fork and say, we are fortunate to have you in charge of the hurricanes. As many of you may know, Brian is a Broughton High School graduate. He played football, actually was the quarterback of the Broughton High School football team, went on and played at Davidson, another great North Carolina institution, and then got his law degree at UNC. So he's got a lot of bona fides in the state of North Carolina, obviously worked as an attorney and worked in the General Assembly, understands the politics of our state as well, and now is doing important work at Lenovo Center with this major renovation you know that concerts and of course the hurricane season which starts September 29th again and so we just appreciate you I do have a letter just of appreciation for you and everything you're doing for the city of Raleigh and the state of North Carolina and then would love if we could get a photo

Diving for the photo frame.

Uh, no. I'll come down here. Put them in the middle.

A little bit. Okay. Look right at me. Nice big smile.

Do we need, I know the couple exit the chamber, so do we need to pause for a moment while they, the handlers. come in okay well that is the handler right there other duties as assigned all right well next we have the Pledge of Allegiance and council branch if I can ask you to

of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all okay next we had one item pulled from the consent agenda by counselor silver on c

5B, I believe it was, right? Otherwise, is there a motion on the remainder?

Second.

All in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Okay, and then do we want to take up that item?

Yes, I appreciate staff supplying a response. I know this is, in terms of specifically, we understand the needs of Lake Wheeler. We understand that there was some additional work required by Department of Environmental Quality The concern that I have is that there is a transfer of $5 million that's going from a project that money went from Six Forks into this project, and now some of the money from the old Wake Forest Road widening in particular is now being moved to the Lake Wheeler project. I guess from my... But the constituents are very concerned about the traffic issues in that area. We've had many members of the public coming here. Just want to understand, in terms of that five million, I understand the project for Wake Forest and Road may be moving forward at early 2027. just need to know assurances about that five million will that be restored because that is a critical project that needs to move forward and just want some assurances i'm sure for this council definitely for me and then members of the public that have been waiting for this improvement for a long time

Understood. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council, Byron Sanders, Engineering Services. Yes, we're confident that this will not impede the delivery of Old Wake Forest Road. That particular project was kind of chosen as we were looking for opportunities here because there is a federal funding component of that. We will have the ability to go back to CAMPO, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, to request LAP funding at a 50-50 split for whatever the overage is on this project. And so we knew that we had that option as it relates to the funding for this project. So we are prepared to do that as we are tying up some loose ends with the old Wake Forest Road project. we are going to be getting ready to put that out to bid. And when we have that number, we'll be able to approach Campo and make that request. And so we're confident that we will be able to continue moving Old Wake Forest Road forward, that this is not going to impede that delivery.

Thank you.

Thank you.

It splits our district, so it's important to my constituents, too. So I just want to confirm, Old Wake Forest was a 2017 bond project, is that right?

That's correct.

Okay. And I guess the fear I have is that when we move this $5 million away and we say we can make it up through this other, you know, I hear my brain glaze over and I hear complicated bureaucratic process. So like how, what is the kind of life cycle of getting these return funds if we're going to use this CAMPO reimbursement?

So this is where I will phone a friend. So engineering services, when we deliver these projects, we partner closely with transportation, specifically when it comes to a lot of the funding and how funding is pursued and that sort of thing through these federal avenues. And so I'm going to ask Kenneth Ritchie with transportation to speak to that.

Good afternoon, Kenneth Ritchie with Transportation. So specific to your question, Councilmember Patton, once we have bid the project, we know exactly what that number is. We will work with the MPO. We will put a letter together. That will go through a two-step process with the MPO where an advisory committee that's made of staff from different jurisdictions will consider it and then they'll make their recommendation to the executive board. and then the executive board will opine on it two weeks later, because that's the usual cadence. We would anticipate from the bid, we should be able to get that in front of the MPO within 60 to 90 days. So it should line up to be able to keep that project moving forward. And as Byron alluded to, we are optimistic that with the monies that we've got in the account, even sans the five million that is the recommended transfer, and that ability for extra federal funds that we will be able to continue to move forward with the scope we have for Old Wake Forest Road.

So we're bidding the project in early 27, 60 to 90 days to work with CAMPO to replenish these funds. So we're not going to have any delay in the project. I am curious if...

the lake wheeler project also eligible for similar lap funding so the lake wheeler road project is not eligible that project was not submitted as a federally funded project there when you do federally fund a project there are additional requirements that come with that a lot of environmental analysis that's required as part of that process that lake wheeler did not go through counselor silver yeah

I just want assurances, because you still have to go through a process, that if we go ahead and approve this consent agenda item, that the city is committed to finding the five million, whatever gap that is, to complete the Wake Forest Old Wake Forest Road project. Just need that assurance because, you know, the public's been waiting. I know there's a process you're pursuing. I just want to know there's a contingency to ensure that we get to fall 2027, that we have either the approach you're recommending with the lab funding, another contingency option, but just want to make sure for me to vote on this one. I just want to have assurances and comfort that we will find a way to fully fund that project when it goes out to bid.

Staff is committed to exhausting every option to make sure this project continues forward and that we can deliver on this commitment from that 2017 bond.

Okay, thank you. Do we have a motion to?

Move for approval.

Second. All in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. All right, thank you for highlighting that. Next we have the report and recommendation of the Planning Commission and we have Ms. Bynum Walters.

Good afternoon, Madam Mayor, members of Council, Madam Walter, Planning and Development. I'm joined this afternoon by our Planning Commission Chair, Dwight Otwell, featured centrally in this new photo of the entire Planning Commission.

It's a very nice photo, yes.

I feel like you've maybe been in that room before. A preview of holidays over the next two months, 60 days. We do have some items already scheduled for public hearing on the 15th, your next afternoon meeting. There are a handful of annexations and then a pair of rezoning requests and then the October 6th evening meeting currently has one item scheduled for public hearing that's a street closure of Midtown Market Avenue, a portion thereof. We have a handful of items coming out of Planning Commission. So the first item we're suggesting for September 15, that was actually discussed by the Planning Commission last week. And then the items that we're suggesting for October 6 came from the meeting earlier in, their first meeting in August. The first item published on the agenda under their report is not Carrier Drive. I apologize. We'll go with this. Z5625-4020 Carrier Drive is a request by Wake County. They are contemplating additional development on their site adjacent to Oakview Park. The change in district here is triggering an increase in entitlement that would allow them vehicle fleet parking, but the bulk of everything else they have projected that they may want to do there would otherwise be allowed in the base district that's currently in place. So that's really the change in entitlement that they're pursuing. Again, a suggested public hearing date of October 16. Also coming out of planning commission from their first meeting in August, rezoning Z4325 on Litchford Road. This request has been revised since you saw it last. Previously, they had been asking for a residential 10 district. They have pulled that down to a residential six district. This is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the future land use map. Planning Commission recommends denial with a split vote. Again, a suggested public hearing date of October 6th. Rezoning Z5025 is two lots on Capitol Boulevard. This request is about 20 acres, changing the base district there from IX, the industrial mixed-use district, to commercial mixed-use and increasing height significantly. While the request is consistent with the comprehensive plan, it is inconsistent with the future land use map and the urban form map. Nonetheless, Planning Commission recommends approval. Your suggested public hearing date here is October 6th. Rezoning Z726 on Western Boulevard. You may have dined at Amedeo's in the past. This is a one and a half acre site going from neighborhood mixed use with the three story height limit, increasing that to seven. They're also offering some conditions. This is consistent with the plan and the policy maps. Planning Commission recommends unanimous approval here. Again, public hearings suggested for October 6th. The text change to zoning conditions on Edwards Mill Road, if you feel like you've seen this before, it's because it happened previously in 2022. They're revising their request. The condition specifically relates to the parcel that fronts on Carriage Drive, which they have gained control of since the previous request, consistent with the comprehensive plan, and the future Lanius map planning commission recommends approval. Then the text change, TC426, this is the item suggested for September 15th. This was initiated by you back in July and would bring our Unified Development Ordinance regulations in line with state provision that allows us to manage minor subdivisions differently. What questions can I answer for you before you make decisions about when to schedule public hearings?

Councillor Silver.

On Z43, and maybe this is a question for Mr. Otwell, I read through, but it said 4.3, recommending denial. And I guess I have one question. The applicant did reduce it from the R10 to R6 CUD. Currently, I believe it's R6 would be, it was R4 now. Do they understand what could be developed under the current entitlement or it was just, because sometimes you hear deny, it's for the following reasons. I just want to understand for the 4-3 from the Planning Commission and then the community asking for the no. And I know we'll go to public hearing and ask more questions. I just want to understand they understand the current entitlement of what could be developed today.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Dwight Otwell, Chair of the Planning Commission. I can't speak to what the other commissioners knew and understood, but I believe that they did. It was clearly presented in the meeting on the screen and in discussion that the current entitlement was.

And the three, the filling of the three that recommended, I'm sorry, there were four that recommended denial, so can you just ask the essence of what their concerns were?

Yes, so that was commissioners Neptune, Commissioners Omukai were the ones that motioned and seconded that. Their concern was for the safety of the community and the character of the community being rural at this time and with the addition of such density disrupting. All right, thank you.

Can I build on that, Commissioner Otwell? So when we first saw this case, the split difference was larger, and so some people were swayed. Do you have any insights into did people state their reason if they had been opposed to the case and are now in favor of it, what brought them around?

I'm sorry. Yes, I was sick on the August 11th meeting, so I did not participate in the discussion and the vote, but I looked at the video and read the minutes, and I believe that the reduction in entitlement for the request, bringing it down in line with the current entitlement allows, and the addition of the condition requiring a gate that would bar access to Johnsdale Road, unless there was significant improvements made to Johnsdale Road, and I think that was what changed their minds.

And then if I could ask, this is a little out of field, but tonight we have a case, and I don't think we asked you about it, Commissioner Otwell, when it was at this step in the process, the one on Glenwood Avenue, the split zoning from CX3, or it's R now and CX3, whatever. Do you have any memory of what the deliberations were like there? What, if anything, was of interest to the commission?

Certainly. The commissioners opposed were commissioners Fox, O'Haver, and Omokae. Commissioners Omokae and O'Haver were concerned about the lack, oh, yep, that's correct. We're concerned about the lack of conditions offered. We saw this twice and it came back with a request for conditions and there were no conditions added to the case. Conditions requested were related to additional setbacks or restrictions on height next to the neighborhood conservation overlay district and requirement that the retaining wall not be outside of the transition zone required by the adjoinment of a residential and mixed-use area. Thank you.

I have one last one. Sorry, I think this one's for you, Bynum. I know we've toyed with this process change where once the public hearing is set, changes can continue to be made during the time until the public hearing is open. Have we done that yet? We have not done that yet. We have not done that yet. Okay. So if you want to change before the public hearing... Don't set it. Okay. Correct. Got it. Okay. And I'll just call out into the ether the applicant for the Capitol Boulevard case. I hope they'll reach out to me. But happy to proceed with the public hearings as suggested by staff. So moved.

Okay. Questions down here? Okay.

Second.

Okay. All in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. That is unanimous. Thank you very much. Thank you both. Okay, next we have the report and recommendation of the city manager.

Good afternoon, mayor and council, and happy September. How did we get here, right? The year is almost gone. So under my report today, we have three items, the first of which we have an update on the fourth ward. We have Carrie Painter here from the complex who is going to present this item today. And I won't say RCC or the Raleigh Convention Center because we're trying to be true to its new name. So I'll just say the complex. So Carrie, it's all yours.

Thank you. I'm going to give you the chance to practice that new name in a minute. I am here to share the culmination of two projects, and one being the Fourth Ward Entertainment District that you were sort of aware of but now has moved much on. So the Fourth Ward... has spent the last years really trying hard to tell their story, to talk about the history, the people who lived there, the times that they shared living in that space. And I was thrilled to be swept into all of that learning and storytelling along the way with our friend Octavia, who is not here for the first time in history that I remember.

I know, right?

This is unbelievably. And so that led us to the opening of the Magic of the Fourth Ward, which most of you were in attendance for at the last spring Black History Month. And we were really excited about this. The name was chosen on purpose because it was magic living there. It was someone's home, someone's neighborhood. someone's experience all through their formative years. And so we were so thrilled to be able to put up this art exhibit and have the grand opening. It has garnered lots of attendance at the Marietta Center for Performing Arts since this went up. We do let groups come in, we let some school groups come in, but this was opening night and people were just thrilled to tell the stories of their time within that ward. But then we decided that wasn't really enough. And the magic sentence that led me to that realization was our friend, Octavia, who said to me, you know, Carrie, you're putting the AMP back, but you're putting it back into a place that was the entertainment district. That is what the fourth ward space was. And so that really led us to, she's right, this is the entertainment district and should always be known as such. So we gathered back our fourth ward association friends and we spent probably about three hours and then follow up and write up and phone calls, et cetera, hearing the stories. trying to understand what happened in this neighborhood, the bars, the restaurants, the Performing Arts Center, all the things that appeared. We tried to create an inspiration and storyboard that really talked about the times, the famous artists that were there, the music records that were popular, the dance show, and put it together into one brand that could relay this story, that could survive over time, that could show up and inspire more history and learning and conversations. And so after we had the community vote, we had some hundreds of votes, we put it out, we put it online, we let people give lots of opinions about different choices, this is the one that won. And we're really excited because the colors are vibrant and beautiful and they have meanings to the people who brought them to us, purple being royalty and gold being prosperity and the music and the dance, et cetera. So we're really thrilled that this is going to be the new brand for the Fourth Ward Entertainment District. So that was rolled out for the first time two Sundays ago at the Gospel Extravaganza. These will be the street signs you're going to see in a minute. But it was a really wonderful chance to share it with the people who really told the story and lived it and have tried to tell this story for, they will tell you, 46 years. And so I'm thrilled to be a part of it and get to have introduced it and shared it. So last week, we had a field trip. We loaded them up in what the parks finally calls the adventure van. And we took them down to the sign shop. The picture on the left, she is sitting in the audience. This is our Catherine, if you want to stand up and get a little applause. Catherine Shar Johnson is our graphic designer, and she is the person who created this logo with all the help of all the people. And the ladies next to her are part of the same marketing department. So we're thrilled to have you here to support Catherine. And Catherine really came to a realization standing in the sign shop when I said to her, you know, you're going to drive through this district with your children one day, and then maybe grandchildren, and these signs are going to be there. And that was when it became a true moment and a generational project. So it was really fun for these people. They got to see the machines print off signs, and then they got to make some. And so we helped them create blade street signs. The street signs, there will be 44 of them, and there will be 20 of these round signs, and they will start going up tomorrow. Thank you to our transportation team. So two will go up in front of the Performing Arts Center tomorrow morning at 9, and from there the rest will continue. So we're really excited that from now on you're gonna be able to say, meet us in the Fourth Ward Entertainment District. People who visit the convention center, people who come from around the world, they're gonna have a name of a place to be and they're gonna know that there's a history and a story to this vibrance. So we're thrilled that that is the conclusion of Project One. And project two happened last week. It was super exciting. Yes, the convention center has a new name, Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. And this bank is coming into North Carolina. They opened up one branch two and a half, three weeks ago now, I believe, in Morrisville. There are more to come. They are very excited to stake ground and become part of our community in every way. And they talk about being aligned with us in two things. One, economic impact, because of course that's important. And we've seen that take place with the commitment they made to name the building. But the second was about the well-being and the vibrancy of our community. They have some real loves. And they talk about supporting the community in a lot of value-driven words. And so we were super excited that they told us they were gonna give $5,000 to either Meals on Wheels or Wake County Caring Center and instead at the very end they announced we've changed our mind, we've tripled the donation, we're gonna give you $15,000. And so that was a really beautiful defining moment that they are going to do the things they said they are, they are gonna be part of this community, they are gonna move in branches and it will roll off your tongue before you know it because we're gonna practice saying it a lot together. And so this is a great quote that came out from their president. This partnership is a powerful reflection of our commitment to the communities we serve by aligning our name with such an important gathering place. We're deepening our relationship with Raleigh in a meaningful way. And so we are proud that we welcome people from around the world every day and all those at home too who are entrepreneurs and business people and they too are gonna stand beside us and do that. And so we were really, really pleased with the outcome. It was a great day. and lots of people enjoyed it and shared it. And so yes, let's practice together. We're going to start saying Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center. And so next time we have one of these wonderful updates, it will be about the groundbreaking for the new center. So thanks for your time. Thank you.

We have questions for Carrie.

I just want to say I think that the this is awesome and I would love to see more of this intentional placemaking Calling on our history throughout the city it really honors the past and also gives I think a sense of purpose and place to that area now and and What a great message that's gonna send for everyone who's coming in from out of town to see how we as a city separate celebrate our history and I just think it's fantastic and I don't think miss Rainey's here, but you know I don't think any of this would have happened without her advocacy and the neighbor's advocacy for decades. And so congratulations to them as well.

Well, and just following on that, I was also, I think it's exciting, both of these announcements, but to the street signs and the different colors. So we have brown for historic districts. We have green for generic districts. Now we're introducing blue. What does the blue symbolize and will we have other blue districts to sort of piggyback on Councilor Lambert-Melton's question?

Those are the only three legal colors that blade signs can be. It is mandated by the state. So the blue stood out for a... compact location destinations. So could there be other blue destinations? I'm going to nod yes on behalf of transportation, but if they wish to tell me I'm incorrect, they can come up. But otherwise, it was meant because it is the third and it will stand out uniquely downtown as a sort of a barrier district.

And then just the thought, what is the delineation of that district? And when you say it has to be compact, is there a regulation on the books as to what that means?

No, we kept it compact because we did not want to confuse the entire fourth ward with the entertainment district of it. So it will boundary the new and the old conventions. The Red Hat Amp, it'll swing around to encompass the Performing Arts Center, because it too was in the third, or the fourth. Shaw becomes the third, so that line stops at the end of the Performing Arts Center, comes back around to include Omni, and then back to the Convention Center. Right, thank you.

Yes, Councilor?

I'd imagine if Octavia is here, she would say thank you for all the support you did. There was a gospel celebration that was held in the complex two weeks, a weekend. I can't keep up with days. Two Sundays ago. So I know she was, she'd be grateful for that. And then I also wanted to commend you for the name reveal. I still haven't gotten it all straight. Atlantic Union. Yeah. A-U-B. Atlantic Union Bank. Yes. But you put on a phenomenal, y'all missed a phenomenal performance. but to see so many people from the community come out and support that as well, so I just wanted to commend you on that.

Thank you. Councilor Silver.

I want to commend you as well. As you know, I do this work for a living of addressing past harm, and for those that would fully understand the impact of past harm, it has three components, to apologize, to acknowledge, and to atone. it's the tone that most people can't figure out. And so to see this bear itself out, because even when I was here the first time, Octavia kept telling me about Manly Street, Manly Street, and I'm like, I'm looking on a map and could not find it. The exhibit at the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center, did display that and helped me understand a bit more, and I think Ken Bowers did a presentation on kind of the evolution and transformation. So it's important, and I really wanna highlight the atone, because in my work, most people do acknowledge, some do apologize, but the atonement the hard part it's not always monetary but it's a way of just capturing what we kind of call sacred places and you did that I know there's more to come so I won't steal your thunder but I personally want to thank you because this is something that's critically important and you're right we'll live on for generations to come thank you your insight and advice and help on this is is meaningful because it is new for me to be doing this so thank you

Great, thank you. Thank you, Carrie. Carrie really has kind of, we were on one of our inner city trips when she got the vision of doing the space over at the Performing Arts Center, and she said, can we do it? I said, yes, I guess, right? And so... she started to convene the neighborhood. And so really this is her baby. The community responded well, but Carrie started it and excited to kind of see the next step. So Carrie, from me to you, thank you for recognizing how we may have started off on the wrong foot with South Street, but how we got to this point to Mitch's announcement about atonement I think you have a lot of friends in the fourth ward now that like you better than they like me so we got to think of another project so I can get them back but somebody better text Octavia because something is wrong if Octavia is not here today so I'm a little worried because this really is a big deal for her so thank you Carrie for all of your work and passion in this Next, moving to another topic of interest that has garnered a lot of community concern and community input. Council asked staff to go back and try to reimagine and re-envision kind of what community engagement would look like in a format that Highlighted youth engagement, so if we can call taisha mosley to the podium from Community engagement taisha will kind of walk through a proposed opportunity for us to get more engagement with the young adults in our Community so that before we take an action around any plan for their future we incorporate their ideas and input.

Thank you. Taisha Mosley with the Department of Community Engagement. I'm a little choked up. That doesn't happen often, but I am a legacy of the Fourth Ward. And so to see that, sorry, Michelle. It's okay, you know I'm a crier too. To see that and know, you know, my grandmother raised me. and all of her children and her mother raised all of her children in the fourth ward. So that one got me, Carrie. Great job. So forgive me as I get myself together. But I'm really excited about that and blown away by the fourth ward entertainment district. Taisha with the community engagement department. So in partnership with council, the city manager's office, our department has worked to create a space that brings the community together to discuss their perspective on a curfew, but to also have conversation about gaps in our community for youth, teens, and young adults. The resources that are available and how we can collectively support young people. So we're inviting community-based organizations, teens, local schools, parents, business owners, and everybody who's interested in being a part of the solution to join us on October 12th at the Five Point Center for Active Adults. Doors open up at 5 p.m. We'll serve refreshments, and the attendees can expect Small group conversations and community building with members of city council. We'll also have a panel discussion on community issues and community-based solutions. And for more information, the public can contact our team at community.engagement at RaleighNC.gov.

Great. Thank you for helping pull this together. Councillor Ford.

Don't step away yet, Tyesha. I've been having some conversations and also thinking about the issue of the curfew and understanding this conversation is going to be moving forward. But one of the things I think I would want us as a body to consider, but also with staff, is looking at how do we actually reach the at-risk youth population more. You know, one of the things I think people don't often realize is that we've got a lot of challenges with Kids in the community and the kids who often come to hoop nights, participate in our summer youth employment program and our councils and things along those lines are not the kids that we're trying to reach. The at-risk youth are the children that we really need to try to reach. I would ask our parks department, community engagement department, police you know with their community engagement and other folks to really have more synergy with the county and with the school system because you know they're kids who are being babysit by the streets because they can't go home based on the challenges that they're experiencing. Criminal activity, being neglected, things along those lines are actually happening every day. And so it's great to have conversations with nonprofit partners and other folks who do some of this work, but a lot of the kids we're trying to reach are not going to the YMCA, they're not going to the Boys and Girls Club, they're not coming to our parks and rec centers. They're kids who have to be out on the streets at, 11, 12, 1 o'clock in the morning because it's probably safer for them to be on the streets than actually be in their home. And so we've really got to focus on trying to get to the kids who are at the root of the problem. And so I know that the school system maintains lists of kids who are in alternative schools or who have high truancy numbers, I mean, those are the kids that we really need to be trying to focus on with these programs. So I would ask the city manager's office to have the departments, you know, talk to the school system, reach out to the school system and figure out how to do a more comprehensive program for the kids who we really are not reaching with a lot of the superficial programming that we're doing.

Councilor Silver.

Hi. could not have said it better myself. That was gonna be my question. We have to do this community conversation, but I agree with Council Member Ford. Because the teen takeover was the top of a conversation, most of the teens that will most likely show up probably did not go to the teen takeover. And I'd probably ask the first question, how many did you go? And if no hands go up, I do agree that we have to focus on the marginalized, the overlooked, the neglected. As I stated, I don't know the right number because I tried to look at our data between 10 and 19. 25% of our population has 50, 60,000 young people. Not saying we have to reach out to each one of them, but I do agree, we have to find out how do we hear from those voices to understand how we can help. We're not gonna reach all 60,000, but I do agree. I think it's a great idea to reach out to the school system just to find out is there a focus group for those that are going through some of the issues that Councilmember Ford just mentioned We have to do it all. And so I think the intent right away when we talked about the youth curfew was yes, we need to have more programs, but then there is a lost generation we have to meet. And for now, they don't have a purpose, some of them. They're looking for a sense of belonging, and they're finding it in places that may not be healthy for their development and well-being. So I would second what Councilmember Ford said. I know it's hard to do. But I think it's something we have to put out there that we want to hear all the youth and not have a community conversation that skews what we're trying to solve because there were certain voices we just did not hear from.

And just to those, Ms. Mosley, if you do want to just talk about, I know you have reached out to a number of nonprofit partner organizations in organizing this, but maybe you can just at least elaborate how you're approaching this.

Sure. Yes, we've had conversations with the nonprofits that we shared at your last meeting, so the Boys and Girls Club, specifically our Raleigh Boulevard, the Teen Club, the YMCA, local schools, and to your point, Councilmember Fort, we can certainly dig deeper and make sure we're in contact with alternative schools. That's no problem. So it has been a joint conversation. A lot of organizations are just looking for next steps. And we just want to be mindful to make sure that we're communicating what we're all in agreement of working towards. And as I shared before, we're still trying to figure that out. But we are in conversations with community and community groups and are doing some, you know, intentional messaging and conversations and invitations to this to continue to build on that conversation. Thank you.

Madam Mayor, I just want to share that Councilor Jones and I met with the Educational Justice Alliance just yesterday. And in that meeting, I think they worked with some of the kids that Councilor Ford is mentioning. And I passed on the contact. I talked to Taisha last night as well, and we had a conversation. So I think, yeah, we just need to also, from a council standpoint, if we know of certain groups and organizations Even just individuals that can that we need to make sure our staff talks to are that we need to talk to let's pass it on and share it So it's a joint effort

That's great. Councilor Patton.

Yeah, I was just, in terms of next steps, wanted to make sure it was totally clear, because I think many of our residents were expecting that September 15th was their next engagement on this topic. So I just want to make sure we're saying clearly, we're not hearing this topic on the September 15th, and we invite you to join us on October 12th.

Yep. Actually, I was going to wait for all of that and then close this. Yeah. So I guess we are not holding a vote on September 15th. I think. we all just from that first conversation we had saw how big this topic is, how much conversation it is, particularly because we were framing it as youth engagement, youth workforce, youth programs, and the curfew. And that all just very quickly became a lot to try to force that conversation into a very condensed, period of time and I do appreciate I think all the counselors I mean y'all just mentioned I know counselor Jones has been meeting with you know a number of groups you know I have as as well I think all of us have so I just appreciate pulling together specifically younger folks for this session and there could be additional sessions as well but I think as Councilor Patten just said, the fact that this is now on October 12th is telling you we are not holding a vote, but still encourage folks that do want to come out to public comment periods and share their thoughts with us, but this is another opportunity, and I believe there will be more this fall as we expand and have this conversation. So, Councilor Jones.

Thank you so much. I guess this is for the city manager. As we discussed and learned in our last sessions that there's a big chunk of the participants in the teen takeover that weren't from Raleigh. I know that that's an issue up in Briar Creek where we started. There's a lot of break-ins and things that are happening from people who come out from Durham or from Morrisville. And I'm wondering, can you give us an update on what the collaborations or conversations between Morrisville PD, Durham PD, and RPDR so that we can see how we're addressing that from those coming into the city and what their responses might be?

I don't see Chief Boyce in the audience, but I do know that there have been ongoing conversations, not just since the 4th of July, even prior to the 4th of July, to address some of the issues we've seen in your district in the Briar Creek shopping area. And so I will say this, I feel certain that there is a collective from our adjacent and adjoining communities to help us solve this issue. Because if one solves it, all it does is pushes it to the next. And so we're trying to be collaborative and intentional about how we do it. So they're using all of the tools out there. availability to do it as well as figuring out what types of community conversations would make sense in each respective place. So more to follow and you'll probably get a little bit more from the chief between now and October around those conversations as well.

Right. I think that's one of the biggest messages that I heard in just speaking with young people was it wasn't even us. We're being punished for something we didn't do. And I just want to be able to see, okay, well, we are working on that. And so any information, whether it's in the Friday Reporter or forthcoming, would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Well, I just wanted to follow on that. I've had the opportunity to sit down with the Chancellor of Duke University yesterday, Vincent Price, and their Homegrown Initiative, which is talking about these very issues in Durham. And I think they've invested a lot in Durham County. They know they do have a footprint here in Wake County. They have, obviously, the Duke Hospital in North Raleigh. one of the follow-ups from that conversation was to understand maybe some of the activities that they're finding that are effective there given that you've got an initiative with metrics working with the Durham Police so I agree with you completely and like you said you're in Briar Creek so you're right there on that county borderline so council yeah Mayor Pro Tem

yeah i just wanted to say thanks to everyone who is having these conversations um it's not always you know obvious because it's not right here at council but this has been a huge i think important issue to all of us i know the police advisory board had a really robust discussion about these issues so if anyone wants to check out their notes from their last meeting I found them helpful. I also did a ride along with our PD in the downtown district just to kind of see things on the ground. And again, I found that super, super useful. So appreciate everyone in our community engagement office, our PD, city manager's office, parks, who's thinking about this and helping us just really look holistically at how we can make sure that young people are really having the opportunities that they want to have in this city.

Okay. Awesome.

And the last thing is a bit of good news. Raleigh Water is the recipient of $38.7 million from the federal government for all of the effort, strategy, intentionality, and hard work that staff and finance, Raleigh Water and the Office of Sustainability put into this federal grant application. We were hopeful that we might get it, but we were really surprised when we were told last week that we are actually officially going to be the recipient of $38.7 million. And really, it is a nod to the Buy Your Energy project that we opened last fall and really being a leader and a trailblazer. I see you out there in this work with an amazing team of folks who are not only fiscal stewards, but environmental stewards. And so happy to announce that we will have this money and we will bring forward a spending plan to you all in the next couple of months. Our intention is to spend that money back in the water infrastructure. Obviously, we have to keep it on the water side. We will continue to support other water projects and other infrastructure improvements throughout our system. So just wanted to say hats off to staff for that amazing application and for our feds actually giving us something. So excited about that.

I saw the chief come in. I don't know if you.

Oh, the chief just came in. And before he gets up here, you can come on. We did check with Octavia, and Octavia is alive and well, but she had to attend to a family member today, so that's why she missed the presentation. But she'll be back for the next one, I promise.

Good afternoon. I'm sorry. I was all in the lobby.

So we were just talking about, Council Member Jones asked about some of the efforts that law enforcement has been making with some of our adjoining communities around how we're going to collectively work together to address some of the teen incidents that we've seen. Not just the teen takeovers, but the break-ins and all of the other juvenile crime that we've seen an uptick in in the last year or so.

Yes, good afternoon, Chief Boyce. Yes, we have ongoing conversations with our adjoining jurisdictions because we see a lot of our cases are affecting all of us. So we have a Wake County executive meeting scheduled for this month where all the chiefs and the sheriff will talk and discuss the cases. I've been in close contact with the new chief over in Durham, Chief Martis, welcoming her to the Triangle, as well as talking about some upcoming collaborations that we can do with our Broad Creek corridor, where we see a lot of back and forth between Durham cases and Raleigh cases. So look forward to that as well. So yes, ongoing. I'll report back to the manager of things that we're seeing that will affect the city of Raleigh.

Awesome. Thank you so much. I know I've spoken to some counselors in Morrisville because we're all super connected and we're all right there. So just wanted to make sure that we understood the conversation that was going on. I appreciate your update.

Yes. And you saw the recent cases with all the break-ins, the motor vehicle break-ins. Durham made an arrest and two individuals, juveniles and that, and all our cases are linked. So we're working through that case. We're about 100 plus vehicles that's involved with that arrest. You're welcome.

Thank you, Chief. And that concludes my report today.

All right. Thank you. And we will move on to the matters scheduled for public hearing this afternoon. The first case is rezoning Z08 on Rock Quarry Road. And this was a carryover from our last meeting. I will turn it over to Ms. Recco.

Good afternoon, Hannah Reckow, Planning and Development. Yeah, so this is case Z826, two properties on Rock Quarry Road. This hearing is open. You opened it at your last meeting. Since then, the applicant has revised the zoning conditions. So the three conditions you saw last time prohibiting some uses remain, and then they've added a fourth condition, which would apply hours of operation to any non-residential use. That would include any delivery associated with those uses. Okay. That's the update on the request. Happy to answer any questions you have. Questions?

Okay. It's already open and we have four minutes, 37 seconds remaining. Mr. Hunter Winstead is the only person signed up support or opposition this time. Mr. Winstead.

Good afternoon, Mayor Cowell, council members, Hunter Winstead, Morningstar Law Group. It's good to see everybody. Just to show the area of our case, here's our site outlined in orange near the intersection of Barwell Road and Rock Quarry Road. We had a request on motion from Council Member Branch back at the last August meeting to add the hours of operation condition. As Hannah mentioned, here's that language down at condition number four, limits the hours of operation from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. We also had a little bit of discussion at the last meeting about the neighborhood transition provisions. So we went ahead and put together just an illustration to show how those would lay out on the site. That green shade showing where zone A would be, that's that protective yard. This is the type two option, the middle option. Zone B being that 50 foot building setback from the property line. Zone C governing height, just to have that illustration there. And again, this is a case that's consistent with the comprehensive plan, specifically with the urban form map. This is a case that stewards city investments, particularly the intersection of Barwell Road and Rock Quarry Road, shown in the middle of the screen, and it's a case that's compatible with the surrounding area, especially given this new condition with hours of operation. And with that, we would respectfully request the council approve the rezoning, thank you.

All right, thank you. I'll go ahead and close the rezoning. Do you have questions or a motion?

No question. Just for the record, I requested that you meet with the residents. I didn't ask your request for that actual hearing. Just to be clear, I didn't request for the condition. I asked you to meet with the residents and talk about what y'all could do. So I thank you for your condition and putting in that at the work of the resident. And with that, I move to adopt the proposed consistency statement dated August Let me change this yet. They didn't update in their document. So I'm going to update it Compose consistency Damon dated September 1st 2020 says contain the gender materials and to approve the zoning amendment with the adoption and effective dates described and the agendas Items under recommended action this approval is also deemed an amendment to the future land-use map to the extent subscribe and the adopted consistency statement

Any other discussion? All in favor of the motion, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay, and that passes. Thank you. All right, next we have rezoning Z5125, Spring Forest Road, and this, we've got Mr. Burns.

Good afternoon, Mayor Cowell, members of the City Council. Matthew Burns with Planning and Development. This rezoning request, the public hearing was opened on August 18th, and the applicant has submitted revisions to the request, which I'll go over shortly. So just a reminder that this site is in Northeast Raleigh, approximately a quarter mile west of Lewisburg Road and US 401. And since the public hearing was opened in August, the applicant has added additional vehicle serving uses to the list of prohibitions. They're keeping the same cap on development intensities. They've also added payday lending and internet slash electronic sweepstakes, cafes, or parlors as prohibitions. And finally, they're limiting hours of operation for non-residential uses to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. So that concludes the changes. Please let me know if you have any questions before resuming the public hearing.

Okay. Questions for staff? All right. And this was carried over, so it is an open hearing, and we have... Hunter Winstead in the support with two minutes and 24 seconds remaining. And then opposition, we have Scott Ayers, David Bender, Valerie Willis, and Rita Tatum, got your name right today, with a minute and 17 seconds.

Good afternoon again, Mayor Cowell, council members, Hunter Winstead, Morning Star Law Group. Good to see everyone again. As Mr. Burns mentioned, we added these conditions. We received some specific feedback from the council at the last August meeting. Really two big areas there with these new conditions. One is prohibiting this suite of uses and then the hours of operation. Those are shown in the middle of the screen here. Under prohibited uses, those are all of the uses prohibited with this application, those in blue. are the ones that were added since the council last saw this case two weeks ago. And as Mr. Burns mentioned, these are really focused on excluding those vehicle-dependent types of uses, really ensuring that this is going to be a compatible, walkable, integrated, mixed-use development that really connects the neighborhood, the R10 neighborhood that is to the left here on the screen to that existing mixed use center over on the right. This is also a case that on the wide Spring Forest Road and really will bring that mixed use, again, walkable development that's compatible with this area and happy to answer any questions the council may have. Thank you.

Questions? Okay. Then I will welcome the folks that are here. Again, you have a minute and 17 seconds remaining.

All right, I'm Scott. My property shares a property line with the affected property. It's our belief and the community belief. I've canvassed it. Nobody wants commercial. The belief of our citizens in the affected area is that the city council would be representing us, not a developer who's just looking to make money off our backs. It will decrease our property values. It will increase crime. It will lead to environmental problems as well. And again, I would ask somebody wants commercial put in next to them, six yards away, raise their hands, anybody? Okay.

Thank you.

David Bender, every one of you on your campaign websites, et cetera, talks about the shortage of housing that was mentioned by Council Member Patten last time. Not a shortage of retail in this area. This is not a case where we're saying no housing. Increase it to R6, which is what the UDO and the Future Land Use Map says. That's fine. We're just saying, Your campaign promises are to help the housing issue. I'm curious if you're going to vote to take away an area that's zoned for housing and allow commercial use to be put in. It's a guns or butter issue. It's very binary. Gonna take away an area that could help housing and allow non-housing to be built.

Thank you. Okay, we'll close the hearing. Do we have comments?

Sure, yeah. I think we hear from residents a lot that they would like to live close to something they can walk to. I hear that even in my own neighborhood, so I do think there are a lot of things people would like to live close to. I do think CX leaves a lot of space, and I appreciate that the Constraints that have been put on since the time of the last public hearing based on resident feedback You know our job here is to decide if something's reasonable and in the public interest I think the constraints placed on the commercial uses including the hours of operation and the buffers bring it into being reasonable and then the sidewalk that will be produced and the evening out of the road width, bring it into being in the public interest. We did also receive some community feedback that was supportive for that reason to even out the road width and provide that sidewalk gap, which is badly needed. I think I would ask our staff to work with DOT. This is a long block, and so if there are opportunities for mid-block safe crossings, I think that would also be in continued public interest. It does not necessarily fall in the lap of the applicant, but I would ask our staff to take a look at any opportunities there. So with all that being said, I move to adopt the proposed consistency statement dated September 1st, 2026 contained in the agenda materials and to approve the zoning amendment with the adopted and effective dates described in the agenda item under recommended action. This approval is also deemed an amendment to the future land use map to the extent described in the adopted consistency statement. So moved.

Second.

Councillor Silver, did you want to say anything?

Well, I did. I just want to go back. Looking at those transition zones, when we encountered the 2030 comprehensive plan, one of the hottest topics was transitioning between density and transitioning between residential and non-residential uses. That was the birth of those transition zones to protect nearby residential by having a series of transition zones and so I'm very pleased that as we have seen these zoning cases, it works. It was intended to provide the appropriate buffers, the screening, the distances, the height slope to ensure that residents aren't impacted. And so I just want, I'm supporting this case, but I just wanted to make a highlight that that innovation was there as a result of many, many public meetings about the community expressing concern about change of uses adjacent as well as additional height. So for that reason, I will be supporting it, but that was a statement I wanted to make before the motion was made.

Any other comments, discussion? If not, all in favor of the motion, aye. Aye. All opposed? So that is unanimous. Okay, one opposed. All right, thank you. And next we have petition annexation AX0626.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. Matthew Clem, Planning and Development. This application has been withdrawn by the property owner, so no need to conduct a public hearing today.

Okay. All right. Next, we have the various committee reports. We have no items pending, so we'll go to the report of the Mayor and City Council. And, Councillor Ford, I will start with you.

No report today.

Going this way? Yep. No report.

Too fast, I didn't have my notes ready. Okay. Sorry, y'all, I don't know what to do when we haven't spent five hours meeting. Sorry, I'm sorry. Panicking. I got, okay, I got him. Good stuff we did through the consent agenda today. We added more ADA parking spaces downtown, which we often hear about. So that is great news for our disabled parkers. And we also approved a bunch of master service agreements for invasive species removal that is... a team sport between parks and other departments that will allow us to tackle invasive species removal around the city at a greater rate. And we know that's important work. And then the only other thing I have is that I will be hosting community office hours September 16th, six to eight at Bedford Food and Drink.

i just have one thank you and then i have one question or request from the city manager i know the last time we met i wanted to talk about the carib mask festival a very joyful event i'm of caribbean descent and it was overshadowed by the tragic event so just want to thank the mayor for the proclamation for haitians of the triangle And it was an extremely beautiful, colorful event, wonderful music. So just want to thank everyone who was involved, but particularly the mayor for the proclamation to acknowledge Haitians of the Triangle. On another matter, I think I've said this before, but I want to make this official. I've shared this with some members of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and this is what is called branch slapping. Essentially, these are trees or branches that are encroaching or obstructing the public right of way. uh and i took some videos this summer as i'm running and walking and a lot of people reacted yes it's a concern basically it's when a branch crepe myrtles are obstructing uh your path walking down the sidewalk and so i have two requests a lot of this is on private property on the greenways i see no obstructions staff maintains full running walking biking on the greenway but our sidewalks don't all meet that standard and the first one is that i just don't know whether there is a what is currently on the books to encourage private property owners to clear or prune branches that overhang the sidewalk sometimes as low as three feet and that's for existing conditions on proposed conditions I just don't know our landscaping and site plan standards about how close landscape uh particularly crepe myrtles or others that have large canopies can encroach on the sidewalk we want to be a walkable city but it's very difficult if a branch a bush a tree is obstructing your ability to walk down the sidewalk and you have to step into a line of traffic or walk on someone's property to avoid the obstruction so i just feel it's very important that i want us to be a walkable city but we would not let low-hanging branches on a road that a car could drive into we should treat with equity the same way of our bikers and our walkers that don't have to duck or avoid a branch that should be maintained improved thank you no report

Thank you. Just a few things. Our next District E community conversation will be on Wednesday, September 9th, but we are changing locations. We are going to be working with a neighborhood meeting for an upcoming case, and this meeting will be hosted by the developer and will take place at Laurel Hills Community Center at 6 p.m. on September 9th. So we'll see you there instead of La Cusina. And then our Decoding Democracy Book Club will meet Saturday, September 12th at the Continental in District B from 9.30 to 11.30. We will be starting Chapter 3 and joined by experts in the UDO, both from a land use perspective as well as from a historical development perspective. So please join us. And then finally, I just wanted to note, you know, my thoughts are with the people of Nepal and China. The destruction is only beginning to be understood. And we watch as the number of people missing and dead continues to rise. It's just a reminder of how fast things can change. And sometimes it does feel like we're getting numb to the magnitude of everything happening around us. But I want to remember it and want to let everyone know we're walking this together. So we'll figure this out. Thank you.

JUST WISH EVERYONE A NICE LABOR DAY WEEKEND. PLEASE TAKE THAT DAY TO REST. THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE THAT SERVE AND KEEP OUR CITY MOVING AND GOING AS WELL. AND AS WELL AS AFRICAN CULTURE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND DOWNTOWN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. PLEASE COME OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. I JUST ASK COUNCILMAN SILVER PLEASE BE KIND TO THE BRANCHES.

Pass.

Okay, appointments.

good afternoon uh first arts commission one regular vacancy and second design review commission one regular vacancy no nominations were made for either of those categories so those will be carried over i submitted a nomination but it may have been um late sure but i would like to nominate for a design review um andrew osterlon o-s-t-e-r-l-u-n-d i also submitted a late nomination for mr osterlin

Okay, there we go.

Co-nomination.

All right, that'll be coming back. Under nominations, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, the term of Jeronica Goodwin is expiring. She does not wish to be considered for reappointment, so that will be coming back. It is now open for nominations.

I'd like to put a name, Jason Dale. His application is on file.

All right. Next is Stormwater Management Advisory Commission, one regular vacancy. Term of Robert Pascal is expiring. He would like to be considered for reappointment.

So moved.

Second.

All in favor of that motion, aye.

Aye.

All opposed, nay. That is unanimous. Thanks.

That's it.

Okay. Report recommendation of the city attorney. No report. Okay. City clerk.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. We actually have two items this afternoon. The first being you received in your agenda materials draft minutes from the August 18th work session and regular session submitted for consideration of approval.

Move for approval.

Second. All in favor, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. That is unanimous.

The second item is a procedural matter. As you may recall, during the August 18th council meeting, council declared the city's interest in the property located at 1115 South Wilmington Street as surplus and authorized the sale of the property, including advertisement with an opening bid of $17,500. subject to the negotiated offer and upset bid process, with the winning bidder required to pay all advertising costs accrued during the process. No upset bids were received at the close of the initial upset bid period, which ended yesterday at 9.30 a.m. That is why it's not on your draft agenda. So staff recommends at this point acceptance of the bid of $17,500 and authorize the appropriate city officials and staff to execute all documents necessary to complete the conveyance subject to the approval of the city attorney's office and city manager.

So moved. Second.

All in favor of that motion, aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. And that is the end. Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay. I will make a motion to go into closed session pursuant to General Statute 143.318.11 to consult with the City Attorney in order to preserve attorney-client privilege and General Statute 143.318.11 to discuss matters related to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses within the City, including consideration of economic development incentives that may be offered by the City in negotiations. So moved. Second. All in favor of that motion, aye. Aye. All opposed nay. And we will go into closed session.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

So the council met in closed session and I have nothing to report out. So we continue to be adjourned up until 7 p.m. when we will reconvene. Thank you.