It felt like I hadn't written an update in awhile, looking back at my posts, turns out I haven't! Somehow I missed summarizing our May meetings, so, below is a summary of our May, June and July meetings.

1.  We concluded a months-long process of land use changes along our first bus rapid transit (BRT) route on New Bern Avenue.  In case you missed it, we're building four BRT routes, with the first one on New Bern from downtown to past Wake Med Hospital.  BRT looks and feels like light rail, and for it to be successful, we need dense, mixed use developments along the route, including affordable housing.  For several months, we've considered changes to land use, in sections, along the route.  In sum, we applied a transit overlay district (TOD) to most parcels; the TOD prohibits car-focused development and provides a 50% density bonus if affordable housing is included in new developments.  We also adjusted the base zoning and heights for specific parcels, to allow mixed use buildings (apartments over retail, like grocery stores, pharmacies, bars, restaurants, cafes, etc.).   We did not significantly change the land use in sensitive areas along the route, and we did not apply the TOD to most properties in existing neighborhood conservation overlay districts (NCODs, where many historic properties exist).  What I expect, and hope, will happen very soon is many of the vacant and underutilized properties along the route (parking lots, abandoned gas stations, vacant parcels) will begin to develop into housing and retail.  

2.  We initiated a pilot program to provide direct assistance to unsheltered folks.  We learned that homelessness is a housing program, and homelessness rates decrease when more housing units are available.  Rents also decrease when more housing units are available. We are working very hard, through zoning reform, incentives, and subsidies, to increase our supply of housing, including affordable housing. In the meantime, we know many folks in our city need extra assistance right now.  The goal of this pilot is to move 40 households living unsheltered into permanent housing by providing housing assistance payments directly to the unsheltered folks.  I know the need is greater than 40 households, but this pilot is a start, and our first effort into providing funds directly to unsheltered folks (totaling approximately $2 million).  This model has worked in a few other cities, most recently Philadelphia, so we are beginning to test it here too. More information will be available on the city's website.  

3.  We funded additional improvements to our central business district, in an ongoing effort to help that area rebound since the pandemic.  In sum, we allocated more than $750,000 to address safety and cleanliness concerns.  The funds will be used to add additional wayfinding, replace trash receptacles, replace and add cigarette receptacles, implement a commercial waste pilot project, and add tree well flexi-pave.  We are continuing an ongoing discussion and planning for additional, bigger changes to our central business district, particularly Fayetteville Street, to modify the built environment and create a lively, thriving "North Carolina Main Street."  In the meantime, a lot of exciting new restaurants are opening in the area, and many great shops, bars, and restaurants are already there!

4.  We evaluated our current fare free transit program and made changes.  In short, after four years of our buses operating fare free, we've seen some unintended negative consequences affecting user and operator safety.  We're also faced with a transit budget deficit.  We decided to resume fare collections, but in a way that accomplishes many of the same goals as fare free transit. For example, a benefit of fare free transit was ease of use.  We've authorized staff to implement new mobile boarding technology, so when fares resume you can simply tap your phone or card and ride the bus (before, you needed a pre-paid fare card which could only be purchased at certain locations or exact change $1.25- who has that in their pocket?).  Another significant benefit of fare free transit was providing relief to cost-burdened users.  To address this concern, we've directed staff to develop a permanent fare free and fare capping program.  Users can apply for a free or reduced fare, and our new mobile boarding technology will also allow us to implement fare capping (if you can't afford to pay to ride the bus, you'll still ride for free, if you can only afford to pay a certain amount, your fare will be capped once you reach that amount).  Fare collection will resume in earnest in September. More information about fare equity programs and mobile boarding here: https://goraleigh.org/goraleigh-fares-passes-0

4.  We approved the FY25 budget.  Our fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.  Under this budget, all city workers received raises, including 10% raises for public safety.

5.  We (finally) approved a new policy to allow motor vehicles and floats to return to city parades, if the parade organizer decides they want them (car-free and float-free parades are still an option too!). City staff spent month researching national best practices, and they then met with local parade organizers to get their feedback.  The new rules are designed to provide more safety, while allowing motor vehicles and floats to return to parades.

6.  We authorized staff to hire an actuary to study and provide more data to us about providing a separation allowance benefit to firefighters.  Separation Allowance is already paid to police officers under State law, but the State law does not require the benefit for firefighters.  A separation allowance is basically a bridge payment between when an officer or firefighter leaves service and full retirement payments.  To qualify, an officer or firefighter must have worked for the city for a specified period of time.  This benefit was something the firefighter's association has requested, and I hope we can find a way forward for them.  I was proud to support and accomplish their previous-fiscal year request of education pay.  Supporting our first responders is necessary in a growing city and the right thing to do.

We are on summer break for the next six weeks.  Our next regular City Council meeting is August 20 at 1 p.m.

jonathan.melton@raleighnc.gov