May 4, 2008

A transportation work session and a presentation of our legislative agenda were the highlights of a relatively light week as mayor.

The week started with a representative from SAS (my employer) giving me an update on their mixed use overlay proposal. The public may find it interesting that SAS does not contact me on non-related work issues at work. It is also interesting to note that when this mixed use overlay comes up for a vote that I am required by General Statutes to vote unless I have a direct financial interest. According to my conversations with NC League of Municipalities representatives and our attorney I do not have a direct financial interest and I will have to vote on this and other SAS items.

On Monday afternoon I traveled to the NC Legislative Building and presented Cary’s ten issue agenda to the Wake County Delegation of senators and representatives. Most of the mayors in Wake County also presented their agendas. This was the first time I had been before this body and I found the experience very formal making it very political. For example, the Wendell mayor presented his agenda and didn’t mention schools. In the questions that followed Representative Ross, who is opposed to at-large representation of school board members, asked the mayor how his municipality stood on this issue even though it has been reported in the paper that Wendell opposed at-large elections of school board members. This was followed by a question about the Wendell’s vote on this issue and why. This prompted the mayor to say that most of his citizens were Free & Reduced anyway. I felt many of the questions asked by the legislators were more to make a point than to gather information which is not really what I expected. After I made my presentation I stated that the Town of Cary was concerned about a recent moratorium on annexations (of course referring to involuntary annexations) which prompted representative Dollar to point out that it was involuntary only. Again, I felt this was to make a point not to provide me with information. Overall the experience was good and I believe our agenda was well received. To view our legislative agenda you can go to the minutes of our April 7^th meeting (http://www.townofcary.org/agenda/councilmin08/cm040708.htm ).

Tuesday afternoon I met with representatives from DHIC’s affordable housing group. The purpose was mostly introductory in nature but did include a discussion on the need for more affordable senior housing as Cary’s population ages. There are also many citizens who want their parents to move close that can’t afford, or don’t need, to buy homes but need affordable rental units. I believe DHIC is providing much needed affordable housing at High House and Chatham. It will be interesting to see how their future projects are received by the community and council.

Tuesday evening consisted of a work session on transportation. The key issue of the discussion was whether or not to plan for four or six lane roads and how to address developments in areas where roads were at the maximum width. The council decided that there are some areas that will have to be six lanes or are already at six lanes. Regarding roads at planned widths, staff proposed that developers not be required to pay for road improvements if a road is at its ultimate width. Council amended this recommendation so that developers would be required to pay for alternative traffic improvements not related to width. This could be something as standard as installing round-a-bouts at intersections or other innovative traffic improvement alternatives.

Wednesday included a staff meeting and a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Candidate Hampton Dellinger. Hampton is a strong proponent of managed growth strategies which I believe is necessary for moving North Carolina forward. Therefore, I offered by endorsement and any help that I could provide. This is only the third endorsement I have made during the primary season.

On Saturday I participated in the Kids Together Family Fun and Fitness walk hosted by former council member Marla Dorrel. This was the first of what I hope is an annual event to promote the park and family health. The walk was from the Kids Together playground over the US 1 pedestrian bridge to the McDonald Woods Park and back. The weather was perfect and the event was well attended including a visit from Kids Together’s own Katal the Dragon. If you have never visited Kids Together Park then you need to go take a look. To me, it is a model that all future parks need to follow.

This upcoming week promises to be a busy one so I had better get cracking on reading some material. So I’ll close for now and hopefully post again by Sunday, May 11th.