Raleigh Mayor to Make Drought Focus of State of City Address

Mayor Charles Meeker said the drought will be the focus of his State of the City address.

"While things are going pretty well here in the city, things are not going at all well with the weather and the drought," Meeker said.

"The City Council has taken certain steps and indicated Stage 2 this week, but there are indications from a new (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) report that may not be adequate. So the City Council may need to take further steps in the weeks ahead."

Meeker will deliver his State of the City speech Monday night. He said the city's current consumption rate and the dry weather could lead to more water troubles next summer.

The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move to Stage 2 water restrictions on Feb. 15.

The Stage 2 restrictions would have automatically come into effect if Raleigh's water supply dipped to 90 days. However, with the supply in Falls Lake projected to last until the summer, Meeker said he decided to push for tighter restrictions sooner.

Meeker also said improving the appearance of the city and public art will be featured in his speech.

For more information, call Public Affairs Director Jayne Kirkpatrick at (919) 890-3100.