2025-11-25 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Summary

Built from the approved minutes (a summary record, not a transcript). No video or agenda packet is on file for this meeting.

Regular meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Cawley; all seven members present. Agenda adopted 7-0 (Rao moved, Johnson seconded).
Consent agenda passed 7-0 on Rao's motion, seconded by Robotti: land dedication for Watkins Road right-of-way improvements (2025-405-0); 2026 Planning and Zoning Board chair and vice chair appointments (2025-402-0); October minutes; Wake County quarterly tax reports (2025-412-0); records retention schedules (2025-411-0); advisory committee appointments (2025-413-0, see Advisory Committee Application Review); surplus of a 2008 KME Predator fire truck (2025-414-0, see Fleet Replacement and Take-Home Vehicles); and an amendment to the Town Manager's employment agreement (2025-415-0). Nothing was pulled.
Proclamation recognizing Hanukkah and the Menorah Lighting acknowledged. Presentations: winners of the 20th annual MESC poster contest (Kimberly Conley was named as presenting; no People page) and the Morrisville 101 graduation (Erin Hudson).
Public comment: several residents spoke about the unsanctioned Diwali event and citations, and about the Airport Boulevard project (see below).
Recess 8:03 to 8:23 p.m.; adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on Rao's motion, seconded by Fender (7-0).

Watkins Road Annexation: Shelly Mayo reported no updates; no one spoke. Johnson moved to close the hearing (Robotti seconded) and to adopt Ordinance 2025-382-0 extending the corporate limits to 0 Watkins Road; both carried 7-0.
Duke Energy Airport Boulevard Annexation: Rachel Cypher reported no updates. A resident said residents were uninformed about the Airport Boulevard transportation project and asked Council to reevaluate it; Amy Croute, for applicant Duke Energy, said the annexation was part of a project approved with a Special Use Permit the year before. Johnson moved to close the hearing and to adopt Ordinance 2025-341-0 (429 Airport Boulevard); both carried 7-0. Johnson clarified that the action only brought the property into the Town's limits.

Tiffany McNeill presented an Economic Incentive Grant Agreement with Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc. (Resolution 2025-408-0): $231 million of investment and 100 new jobs with an average wage of at least $121,080 (excluding bonuses and benefits). Company representatives praised McNeill. One resident thanked the Town and asked that local youth be exposed to such projects. Robotti moved adoption and Scroggins-Johnson seconded; carried 7-0. See Novartis Project Titan and Maple Oak Incentive Agreement.

Bret Martin presented the final report (introducing new Senior Planner for Transportation Phillip Vereen) with consultant Jorge Luna of VHB. Scroggins-Johnson would accept it only if the circular route were changed and asked for alternatives and a GoCary funding partnership; Fender and Robotti said the proposed routes exclude Breckenridge, Kitts Creek and the Senior Center and feared the report could be read as approved recommendations. Mayor Cawley and Rao favored accepting the results but not the recommendations; Garimella suggested using the retreat to educate Council; Johnson favored adopting the resolution with a title change.
Town Manager Zuidema advised against changing a consultant's report and recommended tabling. Robotti moved to table the item until January 23, 2026; Fender seconded; carried 7-0. Council also discussed delaying more consultant funding until after the retreat. See Alternative Transit Study and Smart Shuttle Service Expansion.

Brittany Johnson presented the top three icons from public voting: dragonfly, peacock and butterfly. Before discussion a majority leaned to the peacock; after debate (Scroggins-Johnson and Fender favored the butterfly for sustainability and design flexibility, Johnson argued for the peacock's design space) Council selected the butterfly. Robotti and the Town Attorney cautioned against any religious association in the choice. Robotti asked to remove the dog park statue site; Mayor Cawley suggested a greenway site.
Council supported staff choosing the manufacturer and returning with a mold design for approval, and supported the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Committee reviewing artist applications. Staff said a decision was needed to meet grant requirements. See Butterfly Icon Public Art Sites.

Johnson, Garimella and others asked staff for information on the Diwali citations (Diwali Festival Drone Show and Fireworks); Garimella raised immigration concerns. Rao and Fender gave farewell remarks (Rao: 14 years on Council); Rao praised the Novartis announcement. Robotti mentioned the Pugh House and asked for new ideas for the space. Mayor Cawley noted a disc golf course opening.
Town Manager Zuidema asked for retreat topics (Robotti and Mayor Cawley asked for sustainability), Council supported keeping work sessions mostly on the fourth Thursday in 2026 (2026 Council Meeting Schedule), and supported placing the first two meetings on future annexations on the consent agenda. Kayla Bertling reviewed arrangements for the December 9 organizational meeting (2025-12-09 - Town Council Organizational Meeting).