East Community Action Coalition of Raleigh, NC (East CAC)
May 19, 2025
7:00-7:52 pm
Lions Park Community Center
Streaming on Facebook and YouTube
Jean Mosher, Chair
Mark Turner, Vice Chair
Bryan Ryan, Secretary (remote via Facebook)
7 in attendance + 3 on Facebook
Guests
Officer Eric Hinton, Raleigh Police Department, Northeast Division; (919) 996-1206
Sheri Smith, PE, Senior Engineer, City of Raleigh; 919-996-3975
Focus Areas
- Public Safety
- Officer Eric Hinton provided his regular report to the East CAC, addressed questions, and received concerns.
- He gave a report of Raleigh Police Department’s efforts to reduce speeding and ticket speeders, especially near schools. Mr. Turner commented about his observations of “Fast and Furious” behavior. Officer Hinton noted that RPD works hard to keep pressure on these drivers to stop or move elsewhere. He noted that RPD monitors social media, where these groups actually advertise their events, so the police can use that information. .He also encouraged attendees to notify RPD if they see groups involved in racing, laying donuts, and similar activities. If witnesses can safely get a license number, this evidence can be used by the police to seize vehicles.
- In response to a concern raised about cars without license plates parked on public streets, Officer Hinton urged observers to call the issue in to the RPD’s non-emergency number and provide details.
- Officer Hinton confirmed that RPD has a volunteer program and pointed out that there is a greenway fun run in the Falls River area in July.
- RPD has dedicated crash scene investigators to focus on these problems and to free up uniformed officers to do their work.
- The RPD has family services that provide camps in the summer.
- He also noted that the department is always hiring and encouraged attendees to spread the word.
- Finally, he reminded attendees to stay safe and contact him with questions or concerns.
- Officer Eric Hinton provided his regular report to the East CAC, addressed questions, and received concerns.
- Public Works
- Sheri Smith, PE, Senior Engineer with the City of Raleigh, presented on the Pigeon House Branch Watershed Study, started in 2022 and finished at the end of 2024. See also <https://raleighnc.gov/projects/pigeon-house-branch-watershed-study>. As she explained:
- Five years ago, Raleigh’s stormwater group started a watershed planning program, with the goal to strategically improve watershed conditions for our residents.
- It looked at the whole city, prioritized watersheds, and conducted comprehensive studies.
- Ms. Smith noted that the studies were aimed at providing information for asset (pipe and infrastructure) renewal, water quality improvement, conveyance and drainage improvement (specifically flooding mitigation), and stream bank stabilization.
- Pigeon House Branch (PHB) was selected as a priority. It drains much of Oakwood, much of the north part of downtown Raleigh, much of the Capital Blvd corridor inside the Beltline, and areas around the intersection of Wade Ave and St. Mary’s St; and flows into Crabtree Creek near Crabtree Blvd and Raleigh Blvd. See <https://raleighnc.gov/stormwater/services/find-your-watershed/pigeon-house-branch-watershed#paragraph—362367>.
- Asset renewal: Ms. Smith explained that because the PHB watershed is in a long established part of the city, it has some of the older infrastructure—some stone culverts are from the late 1800s; and because it is in a highly developed area of the city, much of its stormwater system is underground. In response to a question about bringing underground components above ground, she noted that the city would take such steps if possible, but the nature of this area would make that difficult.
- The general process for the watershed study includes data collection, analysis (with consultant input and modeling), and project definition. The process also includes public engagement (public meetings, online surveys, and one-on-one conversations) to help establish the priorities of residents, as well as their concerns (especially with respect to flooding).
- The data collection involved visual and remote technology observations and videos of the infrastructure owned by the city and determined that about 10% of the PHB watershed system is in poor condition—much of it corrugated metal pipe—and will require rehabilitation. Because stone masonry lasts longer, some of the older sections are in better condition. The city will require that the rehabilitation use materials proven to last. Some of this work will involve installing a lining inside of the existing infrastructure to save time, money, and disruption. (She noted that infrastructure on private property was not included in this inspection.)
- The rehabilitation process has already repaired many of the high priority (worst) issues identified; an upcoming project has scheduled another group of problem areas for repair; the remainder are in planning for future projects.
- Stream assessment: The city hired a consultant to walk the PHB and assess it for stream bank erosion, canopy cover, channel bottom material, riparian buffer, and human-induced impacts. The inspection found that 67% of the stream had no natural buffer. The goal will be to address this issue by enhancing natural buffers.
- Hydraulic model: The study created a hydraulic model to assess the frequency and extent of flooding in the PHB watershed and tested it against reports and input from the public. This research identified 8 areas in need of flooding mitigation, and will be used to guide projects.
- Water quality model: The study identified pollutant loading—including nutrients. The city’s aim will be to treat the water on site. Because the city does not own all the property within the watershed, it is partnering with state government, schools, and nonprofits to achieve improvement goals. Two sizeable properties in this category are the Food Bank and the Wake County Public Schools bus parking area (formerly Bobby Murray Chevrolet).
- Capital projects: All the elements of the study have been combined and coordinated with other city projects—including watershed projects—to prioritize capital projects for the PHB. Near-term projects include Smoky Hollow Park, rehabilitating pipes with trenchless lining, East Lane drainage improvement, flooding mitigation at Frank and Watauga Streets, cisterns for the Food Bank, and culvert replacement at Boundary Street and Brookside.
- Smaller projects: The study also supports smaller ongoing projects, including drainage assistance and stream stabilization, Raleigh rainwater rewards, buffer builder bag, stormwater volunteering, stormwater maintenance and asset management, and floodplain management.
- Questions/feedback included: 1) a suggestion from Mark Turner to explore a spring (the Kizzie Bonner Spring, identified since the Revolutionary War) on Robin Hood Drive that appears to be piped into the storm sewer; 2) a question about how to report floods (answer: through See, Click, Fix); 3) a question about whether tear-downs and replacements are allowed to build within the buffer (answer: consult UDO).
- Sheri Smith, PE, Senior Engineer with the City of Raleigh, presented on the Pigeon House Branch Watershed Study, started in 2022 and finished at the end of 2024. See also <https://raleighnc.gov/projects/pigeon-house-branch-watershed-study>. As she explained:
- Representation
- Helen Tart informed attendees that she has fliers with information about upcoming election timelines and requirements, so people interesting in running for an office can start planning.
- Meetings
- Jean Mosher invited East CAC residents to submit topic ideas for meetings. She has received gun safety and CPR as possible topics.
Next Meeting—June 16, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Lions Park Community Center.