Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - April 15, 2026
Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - April 15, 2026
The Chapel Hill Town Council met on April 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, a resolution honoring Mae McLendon, announcements, a consent agenda, and several discussion items including a resolution of intent to consider changes to council size and mayor's term, affordable housing funding allocations, a CDBG public hearing, a climate action update, and an incentive agreement for a downtown hotel project. The council also made appointments to the OWASA board and entered closed session. The meeting adjourned at 10:03 PM.
Opening Items
- Resolution Honoring Mae McLendon: Council adopted R-1 honoring Mae McLendon for her decades of service. Unanimous vote.
- Proclamations: April 2026 proclaimed as Poetry Month (accepted by Poet Laureate Dr. Donovan Livingston), April 27-May 4 as Volunteer Appreciation Week, and April 22 as Earth Day.
Announcements
- Mayor Anderson thanked staff for the Savannah Bananas event, announced the Legislative Breakfast on April 16, and the next meeting on April 29, 2026.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously after removing two items: #7 (Campaign Contribution Limitations) and #10 (Resolution of Intent to Consider Changes to Council Size and Mayor's Term). Item #7 was deferred. Item #10 was moved to discussion.
- Approved items included: Budget Ordinance Amendment, Street Resurfacing Contract, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Public Housing Capital Fund Plans, 2026 Heat Action Plan for Orange County, 2013 Work Session Minutes, 2026 Closed Session Minutes, and March 18 and 25, 2026 Meeting Minutes.
Discussion Items
10. Resolution of Intent to Consider Changes to Town Council Size and Mayor’s Term
- Council discussed a resolution to consider reducing council size from eight to six members and extending the mayor’s term from two to four years. Council Member Nollert expressed support for a public hearing but doubts about shrinking the council. Council Member Miller-Foushee strongly opposed, citing equity and representation concerns, and noted the potential impact on diverse candidates. Council Member Rivers supported extending the mayor's term. Council Member Sharp supported a public hearing to gather data. After debate, the council voted 8-1 to adopt R-5, scheduling a public hearing on April 29, 2026. Miller-Foushee voted no.
14. Local Affordable Housing Funding Program Allocations
- Assistant Director Emily Holt proposed increasing the Town Manager’s authority to approve allocations up to $250,000 from the $1.15 million received from the Hillmont development. Council discussed the need for flexibility and oversight, with several members expressing interest in a broader review of manager discretion policies. Council adopted R-6 unanimously.
15. Public Hearing: 2026-27 CDBG Annual Action Plan Draft
- Funding Programs Coordinator Melissa Peters presented the draft plan. The town received $432,113 in new CDBG funds and reallocated $173,482, totaling $605,595. Staff recommended funding for seven partner projects and one internal program, including affordable housing rehabilitation, roof replacements at HomeStart shelter, refugee farmer support, and youth employment. Council opened the public hearing unanimously. The plan will return for final approval on consent on April 29.
16. Update on Climate Action Implementation
- Sustainability Manager John Richardson reported that Chapel Hill is ahead of schedule on emissions reduction targets, currently at 32% below 2005 levels (target was 26-28%). Highlights included EV charging expansion, an e-bike lending library, an electric refuse truck, and the Leave Your Leaves campaign. Council discussed infrastructure investment, resilience planning, and the upcoming plan update. The matter was received and filed.
17. Public Hearing: Chapel Hill Ventures LLC Incentive Agreement
- Economic Development Director David Putnam presented a proposed incentive agreement for a downtown hotel project. The agreement includes a performance-based parking credit not to exceed $280,000 over five years, contingent on capital investment and job creation (35 jobs, salaries $40,000-$112,000). The project is expected to generate a net positive fiscal return. Council opened and closed the public hearing unanimously, then adopted R-7 unanimously.
Appointments
- The council re-appointed Susana Dancey and appointed Judith Miller to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted R-1 (Honoring Mae McLendon) – unanimous.
- Approved Consent Agenda (amended) – unanimous.
- Adopted R-5 (Resolution of Intent to schedule public hearing on council size and mayor’s term) – 8-1 vote.
- Adopted R-6 (Increased manager authority for affordable housing allocations) – unanimous.
- Opened public hearing for CDBG Annual Action Plan – unanimous; final approval on consent April 29.
- Received and filed Climate Action Update – unanimous.
- Adopted R-7 (Chapel Hill Ventures LLC incentive agreement) – unanimous.
- Appointments to OWASA board – unanimous.
- Entered closed session under NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) – unanimous.
- Deferred item #7 (Campaign Contribution Limitations) to a future meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the April 15th meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council. We are very glad to have you join us. Um, this evening we have four items on our agenda for discussion or action. Um, the first is to consider affordable housing program allocations. Uh, the second, which also relates to affordable housing, is a public hearing for our 2026-2027 community development block grant annual plan. And that will be followed by an update on climate action implementation. And then our last item will be a public hearing for an incentive agreement with Chapel Hill Ventures LLC. Um Council will also be making an appointment, or sorry, appointments to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board, and I'll announce those names at the end of the meeting. Um to begin this evening, we would like to honor and celebrate the life of Miss Maybell McLendon by presenting a special resolution in her memory. Uh Councilmember Miller Fushi will read the resolution on our behalf, and at this time we invite family and friends and her entire fan club to join uh Councilmember Miller Fushi at the podium for this tribute. I saw her. And Miss May was a pillar of that organization in many organizations throughout our community. So this is a great honor. Whereas on March 17th, 2026, our community lost the incomparable and beloved Maybell McClindon. Whereas Miss May, as many called her, was a pillar of the community, who dedicated her life to public service, social justice ministry, and spreading the divine love of God. And whereas Miss May was committed to a lifetime of service, sharing her time and talents as a board member, and a faithful supporter of the Interfaith Council, poll worker for the Board of Elections, and a member of many local organizations and missions, including the local chapter of the NAACP, Public School Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, and more. And whereas Miss May was extremely proud of her daughter, Miss Anisa McClendon's organization, the E3 Camp, which provides middle school students of color with activities, field trips and skills and the arts and STEM fields. Whereas in March, she received the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award from the Chapel Hill Carrborough Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the positive impact she has had on people's lives. And whereas on Tuesday, March 24th, hundreds of friends and family gathered at the United Church of Chapel Hill to celebrate the life of Miss Maybell McClendon. And whereas the church, which was standing room only, was full of folks across the immense landscape that Miss May touched who gathered together for beautiful homecoming service for one of the most prolific residents of Chapel Hill and Carlborough. Now, therefore, we the Chapel Hill Mayor and Town Council do hereby acknowledge and celebrate the immense contributions of Miss Maybell McClinden to our community and know she is peacefully at rest this 15th day of April 2026. Thank you. Council members, would you like to do a group picture? I'm a back row girl pretty much every time how I live. Yes. Should we put this in? Oh, good idea. Well, you know. Anybody here to receive this? Hold on. Council members, do I have a motion to adopt resolution R1? Second. Moved by Councilmember McCullough, seconded by uh Mayor Pro Tem Barry. I almost, yep, I'm there with you. Um, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, please say nay. Thank you for joining us. And Chapel Hill is a better place because of Miss Mae McClendon and her legacy will live on in Chapel Hill. Um next, we have three proclamations to announce. Um, the first is Poetry Month, and this evening, we are pleased to be joined by Chapel Hill's poet laureate, the great Dr. Donovan Livingston, Dr. Livingston, will you please join me up front? Good evening, family. How are y'all doing tonight? Good. I literally came to rock the mic. Um grateful to be here as usual. Um, I'm excited to take a step back.
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