Analysis

Raleigh officials would like the authority to allow “golf-cart type vehicles” on city streets, with appropriate rules of the road. Other cities can have them; we want them too, the city’s agenda says plaintively.

Other items on the city’s wish list:

  • Some power over stores and their booze sales. It’s a longstanding complaint in Raleigh that “certain” convenience stores are problem hangouts, but despite long rap sheets in the police department, they never lose their ABC permits.
  • Limits on parking with disability placards. Too many times, city officials says, folks hop out of their cars, hang a placard, and park all day in two-hour parking spots. Legally, so far.
  • Even when it orders a property boarded-up, the city must wait 12 months before it can start demolition. A few cities have gotten the General Assembly to let them do it in six months; Raleigh wants to be added to the list.
  • Raleigh wants legislative authority to maintain stormwater control devices after they’re installed by developers. Not surprisingly, the developers are fine with that idea. Bob Geary

Priorities list

  • Storm water lien authority. The city has been working with the development community to secure legislation that would automatically guarantee the city’s ability to maintain storm water devices. Success here would remove the much of the need for review of storm water documents by the city staff. I would like your permission to ask for this legislation provided that wording acceptable to the development community can be agreed upon.
  • Little River Reservoir. The General Assembly authorized a study of various water issues facing the state. The study was done by Bill Holman and others. One of the recommendations in the study is a suggestion that the permitting process for new reservoirs be streamlined and shortened. The Little River project in Wake County would be an ideal test for a new process and to the extent the General Assembly is willing to pursue it; Raleigh would like to be involved in any legislation aimed at expediting this project.
  • Amendments to parking meter regulations. The City commissioned a downtown parking study in an effort to better use existing parking and to plan for future parking needs. One element of the study calls for changes in the way parking meters are used and operated. Some of these changes will require amending the statute relating to the authorization for the use of parking meters.
  • Disabled parking placards. Abuse in the use of placards issued to disabled persons is causing significant parking issues in downtown. Both the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and the City are interested in reforming this program so that it benefits those who need it but cannot be abused by those who do not need it.
  • Certain vehicles on city streets. Raleigh would like to be added to the list of cities which are allowed to regulate golf cart type vehicles on city streets. Many of this type of vehicle are being used as maintenance vehicles in the downtown area and they need to be legalized.
  • ABC Authority. Seek legislation to give the City more control over the issuance of ABC permits.
  • Extension and Expansion of the City’s energy saving pilot purchasing program. The City has received limited exemption from bidding for certain LED pilot projects. This authority expires on June 30, 2009. It would be beneficial to continue the authority and expand it to include other energy saving programs.
  • Additional $5.00 automobile registration fee.