Cat for Raleigh - District A

rioritize housing affordability and availability at all wealth levels, and we must ensure businesses remain part of the communities that sustain them. Council should continue to invest aggressively in ​infrastructure, upgrade and oversee the first responders and public safety officials who serve us, and enact necessary ethics reforms and modernization measures at City Hall. Housing Affordability for both low-income and “missing middle” markets requires that we continue converting under-used city-owned properties into subsidized housing for our most vulnerable community members, particularly around transit corridors. We must streamline city approval processes
for townhomes, duplexes, entry-level homes, and other “missing middle” housing options in appropriately zoned areas. First Responders Upgrades to recruit and oversee top talent requires that we offer competitive pay and benefits to retain top-performing personnel and to fill the 160+ vacancies among our first responders. We should expand the mental health response unit (“ACORNS”) within the Police Department and continue to invest in community-based training and outreach. Infrastructure Investment should plan for future challenges of growth and climate change. We must invest in core infrastructure––like water, sewage, and viable transit options––to build resources with capacity to handle the Raleigh of 30 years from now. We will protect and connect our greenways and public parks so they’re accessible, safe, and enjoyable. Ethics Reform & Modernization to build transparency at City Hall requires that we affirm that public trust is earned. We should immediately require all councilmembers to submit annual statements disclosing their personal economic interests. We will create a binding code of ethics that governs recusals and implement the recommended reforms from the Study Group on City Council Terms, Compensation and Voter Engagement, including adding another district seat. We should establish a review group to identify outdated and harmful provisions of theMunicipal Code and expand the newly-created Board of Community Engagement and invest in the Office of Community Engagement.