East Community Action Coalition of Raleigh, NC (East CAC) Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2026
7:07-8:10 pm
Lions Park Community Center
Streaming online
Mark Turner, Vice Chair
Bryan Ryan, Secretary
~10 in attendance on site; 1 in attendance remotely
Guests
Christie Jones, Director at Lions Park, Raleigh Parks and Recreation
Sam Brewer, BRT New Bern Corridor Construction Manager, Engineering Service Department
Focus Areas
1. Communication and Representation
a) Vice Chair Mark Turner announced that he is stepping down from leadership for the East CAC.
▪ He noted that people have expressed interest in serving.
▪ He added that he may continue to be involved in a support capacity.
b) Mark explained that he had assisted the South CAC in relaunching. That group has a chair, vice chair, and media coordinator.
2. Parks and Recreation
a) Christie Jones, Director at Lions Park, shared upcoming events and offerings at the our neighborhood park. See the park’s website for details and up-to-date information— https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/lions-park . Brochures and other literature are also available at parks. Some of Ms. Jones’s highlights included:
b) Spring
▪ Flag football
▪ Pony baseball
▪ Pickleball (indoor)–Beginners, Monday evening; intermediate, Wednesday evening.
c) Summer, upcoming registrations
▪ Adult basketball
▪ Adult baseball, softball, and kickball
d) Summer Camps
▪ 9 weeks
▪ 55 kids per day
▪ Includes field trips, swimming, games, as well as arts and crafts
e) Fall and Winter—see registration dates on website.
f) Ongoing
▪ Tae Kwon Do
▪ Weightlifting—$15 per month
g) Special
▪ Paws and Play at Oakwood Dog Park; includes an instructor for pet training.
h) Of note
▪ All City of Raleigh facilities are smoke free, vape free, and chewing tobacco free
• Includes parks, greenways, and trails.
• Violators will receive education and a misdemeanor.
▪ Parks will be following the City’s water restrictions.
3. Public Works
a) Vice Chair Mark Turner noted that because of ongoing drought conditions, Raleigh began Stage 1 water restrictions today (April 20, 2026). See https://raleighnc.gov/alerts/stage-1-water-restrictions-place-drought-continues for details.
4. Transportation
a) Sam Brewer, from the Raleigh Engineering Services Department, gave an update on the New Bern Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Project. For more details, see https://raleighnc.gov/projects/new-bern-avenue-brt-construction-updates .
▪ Bus rapid transit offers more convenient public transportation through larger busses following more frequent and more reliable schedules. By using dedicated lanes and traffic signal cycles, these routes are expected to meet 10-minute interval targets.
▪ The routes will also have stations, many with elevated platforms to facilitate
• Level boarding
• Paying at the station instead of on the bus
• Real-time arrival information
▪ The New Bern Avenue line, the first BRT route to be implemented, will run from Downtown to the Walmart at New Bern Avenue and Corporation Parkway.
▪ Three (3) components of the project have been bid:
• Downtown to Poole Road
• Poole Road to the Beltline
• Bus stations/elevated platforms
▪ The new, larger busses are already in service on the Capital Boulevard line (Route 1).
▪ Funding for the project is from multiple sources, including federal grants and the Wake County transit tax.
▪ Three (3) additional routes are also planned
• Southern line—Downtown to the Garner Walmart via Wilmington Street
• Western line—Downtown to Cary via Western Boulevard
• Northern line—Downtown to Triangle Town Center
b) Meeting attendees had a number of questions and comments about transportation, including
▪ Concerns about New Bern Avenue median loss and the resulting heat island impact.
▪ Concerns about parking access for the BRT.
▪ Questions about the high-speed Amtrak line between Raleigh and Petersburg, VA, and its impact on roads in north Raleigh.
5. Public Safety
a) Vice Chair Mark Turner noted that Raleigh Police Department Sergeant Garcia was not available for the meeting.
b) Mark shared that reports of petty crime in our neighborhoods had increased recently, issues that appear to be related to a group of pre-teens.
▪ Christie Jones and Cody Hunt, from Lions Park, talked about resources, including mentors and camps, available at the park and in the neighborhood—Boys and Girls Clubs, college/university fraternities and sororities.
▪ Attendees noted the importance of social/emotional development opportunities and parental responsibility.
c) Attendees revisited our neighborhoods’ concerns with noise
▪ New rules are in place; complaints can be registered by
• Calling code enforcement—(919) 996-2444.
• Using the Ask Raleigh Portal— https://raleighnc.gov/ask-raleigh-fix-report-request/services/ask-raleigh-fix-report-request .
• Calling the Raleigh Police Department non-emergency number—(919) 829-1911.
Next Meeting—Scheduled for June 15, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Lions Park Community Center and streaming at Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/EastCAC
NEXT Meeting Update—Vice Chair Mark Turner called a meeting for May 11, 2026, to focus on the petty crime issue.