January 5^th, 2008

Although this was another holiday week I spent a lot of time on mayor issues. With the exception of a few school related meetings, this week consisted mostly of writing and ceremonial type meetings.

On New Years Eve I was honored to represent Cary in the People’s procession parade in Raleigh. After the parade I was able to meet Congressman Brad Miller, meet and talk with several legislators, Raleigh council members, and county commissioners. Getting to know these key people will be important in upcoming issues Cary faces.

Other meetings this week were school related. My meeting with School Board member Kevin Hill went well. He was very impressive having served as principal on all levels of education and having served in administrative roles. He is very aware of parental discontent and believes we are at the tipping point. He is concerned about how this will affect upcoming school bonds which will be necessary to meet capacity needs. Mr. Hill did indicate he would support the reassignment proposal. He cautioned that next year’s reassignment might be bigger with 13 new schools opening. Regarding Cary school reassignments, he stated that he depended on School Board member Goettee for advice. Mr. Hill also discussed the reassignment computer program that Ms. Goettee mentioned. I am hoping my meeting request with Mr. Dulaney, who is the key person in charge of reassignment, will be honored so that I can see the reassignment program. I believe Mr. Hill will be a key School Board member on future issues.

I had a couple other meetings with parents related to school reassignment. It is very sad to hear their legitimate concerns and hardships. I am concerned some Cary school parents will lose faith in the school system. I will continue representing their concerns to all who will listen.

On the lighter side, I presented Eagle Scout Proclamations to two young men this week. I also gave a 1 hour talk at Glenaire retirement community. Both of these events were enjoyable and I was honored to be there.

Most of this week has been spent writing. I have written a 1500 word State of the Town address which will be in the upcoming addition of Cary News and will be taped and aired on Cary TV. I also wrote (actually finalized) my first 100 days of 2008 outline and here it is:

Goals and Key Initiatives:

· Citizen Involvement

· Growth

· Roads

· Schools

· Environment

Citizen Involvement:

· Create Mayor’s Blog:

o Post once a week

o Focus on what has been done during the last week

· Create Town Hall Broadcast called Cary Matters:

o 15 minute show once a month

o Two members of council

o One big topic

o Answer citizen questions submitted during the last month

o Focus only on future

· Create task force to define process for citizen issue advisory groups

o One member per council member

o 30 to 90 days to define process

· Redefine board and commission appointment process

· Redefine Development Process to allow more citizen input

o Mixed Use Overlay

o Rezoning

· Create additional technology initiatives:

o Streaming videos for town council and Planning and Zoning board meetings

o Create a new video to show on Cary TV explaining the new development process

o Review other ways to notify citizens of rezonings, public hearings, etc, like automated calls

· Review Public Safety issues for future action

o Cary EMS

o Crime

o School Resource Officers

Growth:

· Review Development Fees and adjust accordingly

o 2 zones for development fees: inside and outside the Maynard Loop

o Increase Transportation Fees 25%

o Increase Water/Sewer Fees

· Strengthen Roads Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance

· Create incentives for certain types of growth inside Maynard Loop. For instance, free WIFI.

· Adjust staff presentations on Land Use Plans changes and rezoning changes to include:

o Additional trips

o Additional school children

o Additional fire, police, and utility personnel

o Additional water/sewer needs

· Review and change Mixed Use Overlay Plan

Roads:

· Update Comprehensive Road Plan

· Review roads Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance

· Review Traffic Management system to increase efficiency

· Implement changes so that the Computerized Traffic signs are used.

· Review and adjust town’s road maintenance plan.

o Increase amount budgeted

o Re-prioritize maintenance

o Create on-line reporting for potholes and other road problems with a 48 hour response

Schools:

· Represent citizens with school concerns

· Engage school board members on partnering opportunities

o Land banking

o Partnering on park resources

o Sharing of growth information

· Work to gather county wide support for Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance

· Create citizens issue advisory group for additional solutions to help schools

Environmental:

· Propose an Environment Board citizen advisory group

o Water conservation

o Green building practices

§ Warm season grasses

§ Solar panels

· Make Cary one of the “Cools Cities”

· Consider making Cary’s fleet more green (maybe hybrid)

Next week will be busy as I have several meetings and prepare for my second council meeting.

Have a great week! Talk at you later…