The Raleigh City Council could be getting its first changes to its electoral framework since 1973 — including doubling term length, increasing compensation, and adding an additional council member.
Screenshot of the city council meeting on Tues., July 6 via YouTube
On Jan. 7, 2020, a group of citizens petitioned the city council to appoint a study group to look at ways to modernize council processes. The city council accepted the petition + appointed a 10-person study group on Nov. 4, 2020 to consider changes appropriate for the council.
The study group has compiled a final report, and will be presenting their findings at the afternoon session of the city council meeting on Tues., Sept. 7 starting at 1 p.m.
The group decided unanimously on 6 recommendations for the council:
- Transition from 2-year to 4-year terms
- Adopt staggered terms — district city council members are elected on one side of the cycle, and the mayor and all at-large City council members are elected on the other side of the cycle
- Increase compensation for the mayor + city council members — total compensation for the mayor would be increased from $27,550 to $45,911 and total compensation for city councilors would increase from $19,725 to $37,249
- Move elections to even years — their data showed this would spur greater voter turnout
- Have staff to develop a voter engagement program — could include a voter resource guide online or a Twitter account to reach people through social media
- The city council should add 1 district seat to increase its size from 8 to 9
The city council meeting is open for the public to watch. Join the live stream or watch via the city’s YouTube channel to hear the study group present the findings + answer questions and comments from the council.
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Today
- Open Studio | Mon., Sept. 6 | 6 p.m. | Wine & Design, 510 W. Martin St. | $37 | Pick a design of your choice, grab a glass of wine + paint away the day. 🍷
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Mon., Sept. 6 | 1 p.m. | Marbles Kids Museum | Free+ | Families are invited to this showing of the new Marvel studios film. 🎥
Tuesday
- Tai Chi in the Park | Tues., Sept. 7 | 6–7 p.m. | NCMA | $12+ | Learn the art of Tai Chi while spending a relaxing evening outdoors surrounded by nature. 🌳
Wednesday
- Raleigh Rockers Breakdancing | Wed., Sept. 8 | 6–7 p.m. | Moore Square | Free | Watch the breakdancing group showcase their dancing skills + learn new moves from experts.
Thursday
- Hopscotch Day Parties | Thurs., Sept. 9 | 1–6 p.m. | Transfer Co. Food Hall | Free | Enjoy live music, good food + celebrate the community with friends. 🎶
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 89º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Development
- Downtown could get up to 12 stories of retail or residential space at 418 W. Peace St. when the NC Dept. of Transportation puts the .65-acre plot up for auction. Carolina Land Experts will open the auction on Wed., Sept. 15 — bidding starts at ~$3.76 million. (The News & Observer)
Community
- Funding is now available to help event organizers plan special events in Raleigh through the American Rescue Funds (federal aid in response to the negative economic impact caused by COVID-19). Submit proposals for events on city streets, public plazas, or Dorothea Dix Park through Fri., Sept. 24. 💰
Shop
- The Morrisville Trader Joe’s has announced a grand opening date — Fri., Sept. 10. Located in Park West Village (on the corner of Morrisville Parkway + Chapel Hill Road), the store joins the Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill stores, bringing the number of Trader Joe locations in the Triangle area to 4. 🍅(Cary Magazine)
Outdoors
- The week of Sept. 24-30 is Take a Child Outside (TACO) week, and Raleigh Parks has programs all week long to help you + your family celebrate. See their list here and register for programs like a twilight walk, kids fishing, a family nature hike, and navigating the wilderness. 🌳
Award
The NC State football team dominated in their 1st game of the season on Thurs., Sept. 2. The team had Wolfpack Nation backing them in Carter-Finley Stadium + pulled out a 45-0 win against the University of South Florida.
Want to see more of the team this year? Check out our season preview here.
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Answered: In Friday's newsletter, we asked "How are you spending your Labor Day weekend?" — the answer "heading out of town" won with 36.7% of the vote. Carly + Laura hope everyone is having a safe and relaxing holiday weekend.💛
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