Raleigh City Council Meeting – August 19, 2025

The Raleigh City Council held a regular meeting on August 19, 2025, beginning with an 11:30 a.m. work session followed by a 1:00 p.m. regular session. The council addressed a wide range of items including street infrastructure assessments, consent agenda approvals, public comments, special items, city manager reports, public hearings on annexations and rezonings, and appointments. Key outcomes included direction to eliminate assessments on 17 pending street projects, approval of security contracts totaling over $2.5 million, and approval of multiple annexations and rezonings.

Consent Calendar

• Consent Agenda (General Items): Approved by roll call vote with two items pulled for discussion: D1.f (Randleigh Farm rezoning application signature consent) and D5.j (firefighter hiring process contract with Morris and McDaniel, Inc.).
  • D1.f – Randleigh Farm: Authorized the City Manager to sign the rezoning application as co-owner. Councilmember Jane Harrison noted a request for affordable housing at the tract, with discussion that the property is co-owned by the city and county and that affordable housing siting will be discussed at the September retreat. The motion passed.
  • D5.j – Entry-Level Firefighter Hiring Process: Authorized a contract with Morris and McDaniel, Inc. for up to $352,500. Councilmember Christina Jones inquired about retention rates and the use of an outside vendor; Fire Chief Herbert Griffin reported a new partnership with Wake Tech for EMT training, resulting in 34 of 37 cadets set to graduate with no EMT failures. The motion passed.
• Other Consent Items: Approved all remaining consent items without discussion, including: revised HR policies (Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Code of Ethics), FY26 employee benefits amendments, appointments to water basin associations, art donations, Raleigh Historic Landmark designation, Raleigh Housing Authority bond issuance for 195-unit Union at Capital development, annexation petitions, public hearing settings, grants, contracts, budget amendments, bids, and traffic schedule changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Octavia Rainey: Invited council to Fourth Ward events (August 22-23) and thanked Councilmember Harrison for support.
• Tim Niles: Opposed rezoning Z-1225 (West Street Tower), alleging false claims by staff regarding transit station area and consistency policies; urged council to seek truth.
• Matthew Brown: Expressed concern over stormwater runoff from increased impervious surfaces; urged council to update development rules and create financial penalties for impervious areas. Cited flood resilience efforts but noted many new developments increase runoff.
• Misa Saltari and Other Speakers (Alexis Kennedy, Hanadi Ali, etc.): Called for a ceasefire resolution regarding Gaza, citing starvation and civilian deaths; demanded council arrange a meeting with U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross.
• Jeremy Gilchrist (unclear): No specific comment captured.
• Jordan Bowman: Presented Journeyman Triangle, a nonprofit promoting healthy masculinity, with programs in three schools; reported 82% of participants improved goal-setting and 100% more hopeful. Sought future funding and mentors.
• Mamakai Sanders: Shared personal experience of homelessness and criticized housing offerings; advocated for child-focused All-American City Award effort and better integration of community diversity in development.
• Curtis Johnson: Requested $100,000 and a lease at 1408 Wilders Grove Drive for a mental health and substance abuse resource center.
• Athena Wallum: Expressed concerns about creek erosion in her neighborhood; urged city to integrate natural waterways into planning and allow citizen-led creek rehabilitation.
• Larry Helfant: Supported citizen advisory council (CAC) restoration recommendations; urged council to fully restore CAC tools and resources. Noted Robert Rice (RCAC chair) was not allowed to speak at July meeting.

Discussion Items

• Work Session – Assessment Program for Street Infrastructure: Bradley Kimbrell presented three options for 17 pending assessment projects; rates last updated in 2001 and recover less than 2% of costs. Council directed staff to proceed with Option 3, eliminating assessments on all 17 projects.
• Special Items – Advisory Board and Commission Follow-Up: Assistant City Manager Evan Raleigh presented options for public input on board structure changes; council voted to task the Special Committee on Boards and Commissions with hosting an input session. Also approved resolutions merging historic cemeteries board with historic resources board, renaming Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities to Raleigh Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and renaming Fair Housing Hearing Board to Fair Housing Advisory Board.
• Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs): Assistant City Manager Nikki Jones presented staff recommendations to provide free monthly meeting space, technology access, and succession planning. Robert Rice, RCAC chair, spoke in support. Council approved the recommendations.
• Hospitality Tax Fund Competitive Process (City Manager Report): Evan Raleigh overviewed a $23.5 million competitive process for arts, culture, sports, and convention projects. Joint city-county application process; proposals due November 2025; awards expected early 2026. Council received as information.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Modernization: CIO Mark Wittenberg reviewed the plan to replace the aging Oracle PeopleSoft system; RFP for vendor selection expected January 2026, go-live in 2027. Received as information.
• Security Service Contracts: Adam Foreman and Kenneth Ritchie presented three contracts for downtown safety: (1) DRA parking ambassador extension ($488,014 for one year), (2) Forza Security for Moore Square ($1,318,776 over three years), (3) Rhino Sports & Entertainment for Gipson Play Plaza overnight ($265,000 first year, $795,000 total). Council approved all three. Discussion included coordination with RPD, concerns about gaps at other parks, and potential park-specific law enforcement.
• Parks Board Work Plan: Ian Burnett presented the FY26 work plan with five focus areas; council approved.
• Tarboro Road Park Schematic Design: Gary Claiborne presented the $29.3 million redevelopment plan including a two-story community center, gym, promenade, and improvements to St. Monica Teen Center. Construction anticipated 2027-2029. Council approved schematic design, with suggestions for wider sidewalks and more seating.
• Public Nuisance Liens: Code Enforcement presented liens for six properties; council confirmed liens except for 1910 West Millbrook Road, where Councilmember Christina Jones voted no due to the $9,169.52 amount (others passed 7-1).
• Annexations: Seven annexation petitions heard and approved: AX-09-25 (2418 Kirk Ave.), AX-12-25 (4208 Forestville Rd., effective June 30, 2026 with utility hookup), AX-13-25 (1539 Old Milburnie), AX-15-25 (2809 Sadie Hopkins St.), AX-16-25 (5424 Rock Quarry Rd.), AX-01-25 (3130 Tryon Rd.), and AX-10-25 (announced but not discussed - actually AX-17-25 was on consent). All approved unanimously except one council member expressed hesitation on large annexations pending future policy discussion.
• Rezonings:
  • Z-48-24 (Wicker Drive): Rezoned from IX-3 to CX-20-UL-CU; Planning Commission recommended approval 9-0; approved unanimously. Discussion included connectivity to BRT and future development.
  • Z-2-25 (201 Bragg St.): Rezoned from R-10 to NX-3 with South Park NCOD; allowed neighborhood serving commercial; approved unanimously. Discussion about challenges for historic corner stores.
  • Z-7-25 (Forestville Rd.): Rezoned from R-4 to CX-4-CU for Wake Crossroads Baptist Church; approved unanimously. Discussion on signage challenges for churches in residential zones; staff to examine text change.

Key Outcomes

• Work Session Direction: Council directed staff to proceed with Option 3, eliminating assessments on all 17 pending street improvement projects.
• Consent Agenda: Approved with two items pulled and individually approved.
• Special Items: Rescinded $7,500 from Councilmember Silver's contingency (North Raleigh Arts); approved $3,000 (Jones) and $2,000 (Patton) to Toward Zero Waste for school food share program. Approved board/commission restructuring and public input session via special committee.
• CAC Restoration: Approved staff recommendations for re-implementation of citizen advisory councils.
• Security Contracts: Approved three contracts: DRA ($488,014), Forza Security ($1,318,776), Rhino Sports ($265,000 year 1, $795,000 total).
• Parks: Approved FY26 work plan and Tarboro Road Park schematic design.
• Public Hearings: Confirmed nuisance liens (with one dissenting vote); approved seven annexations and three rezonings as presented.
• Appointments/Nominations: Nominees for Arts Commission (Andrew Baker), Design Review Commission (Kate Charland), Environmental Advisory Board (Veronica Bidding), and reappointment of Alma Reynaga Perez to Raleigh Sister Cities. All approved.
• Closed Session: Council entered closed session to consult with attorney on potential claims and personnel matters.