Raleigh Public Record (https://theraleighcommons.org/raleighpublicrecord/topics/news/city-council/page/43/)
The city of Raleigh is reviewing possible solutions for traffic congestion around the Crabtree Valley Mall area. A recently released study includes options like widening the street behind Crabtree Valley Mall to funnel in more drivers and separating mall-bound traffic on Glenwood Avenue.
Tuesday’s swift series of city council meetings revolved around one thing: filling the vacancy left in District C by councilman James West’s appointment to the Wake County Board of Commissioners. A six-member majority voted to appoint Eugene Weeks to the seat representing District C, concentrated in southeast Raleigh.
The Raleigh City Council has a slew of issues to address at meetings this week, including low-income housing, a $1 million stormwater grant and the vacancy of its member from District C.
Raleigh is on its way to a new system where people can report non-emergency problems from their cell phones. Using a service called SeeClickFix along with the capabilities of the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android mobile phones, Raleigh residents will be able to report problems like potholes or downed power lines.
Councilors voted Tuesday to give an additional $150,000 to the convention center’s business development fund. They also approved a new program to give $1,000 rewards for catching businesses pouring grease into the sewer system.
District C councilor and mayor pro tem James West resigned recently to fill a post on the county commission. Councilors are now looking for a new District C representative to fill the remained of West’s term.
Councilors will get a new report on the next steps to develop the new downtown train and bus station. They will also talk about a new program for residents to opt out of phone book deliveries and a $1.3 million federal grant to expand broadband access for low-income residents
Raleigh city councilors passed a set of recommendations for the high speed rail route though the city. Councilors opted not to make the hard choice of picking one route and instead commented on all the routes.
City Council members are getting close to a decision on where they stand on an early plan to update local rail lines and crossings in advance of high-speed train service from Raleigh to Richmond.
Councilors gave final approval for the Hillsborough St. bike lanes and started thinking about another set. They also passed $10 million in bonds for solid waste facilities and got a $1.3 million stimulus grant for a geothermal system.
