Cary City Council — Transcript
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Story
Cary Council Tightens Meeting Conduct Rules Unanimously
Citizen Convenience Center Relocation Project
Council Committee Structure and Scope
Moving Forward Dashboard Update
Votes (2)
Rules of Decorum Policy Amendments (Policy 143 & 191)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bush [0:26:45] · Seconded by Council Member Richards [0:26:59]
The council discussed the need for updated rules of decorum following disruptive meetings, emphasizing the goal to ensure orderly public business and safety without limiting free speech content. Key changes focused on clarifying 'civil and courteous' behavior, providing accommodations for speakers, and defining how speaking times can be adjusted collectively (not individually). Enforcement for audience conduct was a major point, with the Mayor detailing a graduated response. Safety concerns from staff and residents due to past 'menacing behavior' were a driving factor behind these revisions.
Council Committee Structure and Scope
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Bush [1:00:28] · Seconded by Council Member Richards [1:00:36]
The council discussed the formation of an advisory committee to address various recommendations from audits and investigations, specifically focusing on council-related expenses (compensation, salary, allowances, benefits, travel, training) and a code of ethics. Options for committee size were debated (three or seven members to avoid quorum issues), with a three-member committee being selected. Public access to meetings was also discussed, with live streaming chosen for maximum transparency. The committee members, chair, and first meeting date were established.
Notable Quotes (8)
I think this is a really good goal um that aligns that every resident um deserves the chance to speak, every person in the room deserves to be treated with basic dignity and respect and [snorts] that this council has a I guess a responsibility is the right way to say it to conduct the the public the public's business in an orderly fashion.
this is not about curtailing freedom of speech um or the content of what they share with us or the passion that they share with us. It is about ensuring actually that everyone has the opportunity to share that speech and that the conduct in the room doesn't impede people's ability to have that freedom to speak to us.
the last meeting uh was basically in my mind out of control. Um, and they were feeding off the media who absolutely loved it and that's why they were there. Uh, they create stories to generate the audience and the audience generates the stories for the media and that's exactly what they like to see.
What folks don't see on a recording is what I'll call genuinely menacing behavior from several people sitting in town hall, sitting in their seats, jeering from their seats, fighting with their neighbors, police officers having to step in and make sure it doesn't come to fisticuffs um during a council meeting.
council may create committees. They serve in an advisory role to the full council. They do not take final action, but they develop recommendations that come back to be considered.
I would recommend is my personal thought a committee of three and do WebEx or something with everybody allowed to see whatever they want to see. Uh but only we're talking because it's not a public hearing. It's it's us doing our work and they're able to watch it and hear it.
I'm personally in favor of the count the committee of three or to council member Johnson's point the committee of seven understanding that we only have to get to four.
council's compensation including salary allowances and benefits and training and travel expenses and a code of ethics.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Existing policy on rules of decorum, which will be amended as information is consolidated into Policy 191.
Proposed new policy to consolidate and organize existing rules of decorum from various sources into one comprehensive document.
Recommendation from the State Auditor's Office related to council travel expenses.
Recommendation from the annual audit, mirroring OSAO2, related to council travel expenses.
Recommendation from the State Auditor's Office concerning reimbursements for council travel and education, including documentation and limits.
Recommendation related to the Code of Ethics for council members.
Recently adopted policy by the council, reflecting progress on the 'Moving Forward dashboard'.