Raleigh Public Record

A break down of the agendas for this week’s public meetings.

The Raleigh and Cary police departments say they think one man is responsible for four bank robberies in the area since November. The two departments along with Wachovia and SunTrust banks are offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

A photo essay from this week’s school board meeting. The Wake County School Board voted 5-4 to end the economic diversity policy. The issue will be up for a second vote at the board’s next meeting. Read more about the meeting here.

Yesterday Wake County’s school board met amidst a packed house of supporters for Wake’s diversity policy and supporters for the new school board majority. The school board’s agenda for Tuesday received national coverage from the Associated Press and The New York Times because of the board majority’s intent to enact a resolution to end Wake’s diversity policy. The measure passed in a 5-4 vote.

The proposed public safety center finally got to a vote Tuesday after months of debate. The Raleigh City Council voted against moving ahead with the $205-million project in a 4-4 vote.

The Lightner Public Safety Center is back on the agenda again. Plus, a council committees gives the go-ahead to a new greenway in North Raleigh and the NC State police department could get a broader jurisdiction around the university.

After a full year of service, Raleigh transit officials say the free downtown circulator known as the R-Line has slightly exceeded their expectations.

The service celebrated its anniversary Feb. 13, and through the end of January, about 178,000 people have boarded the hybrid-electric buses at an average clip of 521 per day.

Tuesday’s Raleigh City Council meeting saw more intense debate over the proposed public safety center downtown with no vote. But councilors did manage to pass new parking regulations, water conservation measures and a text change to bring the city into compliance with a new state law.

The proposed public safety center will be back on the table before council this week. Mayor Charles Meeker has modified his proposal for funding the $140-million Clarence E. Lightner Public Safety Center. Also at council this week: a new set of front-yard parking regulations, a federal wish list and touch-screen computers for the RPD.

City council committees approved new rules for site plan approval and $700 in additional impact fees. The recommendations will go to council on Tuesday.