Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - April 29, 2026: Charter Amendments, Transportation, and Infrastructure
Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - April 29, 2026
On April 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Chapel Hill Town Council convened in the Council Chamber. The meeting featured three proclamations, a public hearing on proposed charter amendments, updates on the 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and planning for the Southern Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), discussion of a proposed OWASA reimbursement policy, and action to join a national opioid settlement. The council also approved a consent agenda and entered closed session. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 PM.
Proclamations
- Bike Month (May 2026): Council Member Rivers invited Shift Chapel Hill-Carrboro to the podium. The proclamation highlighted biking benefits and invited participation in Bike and Roll to School Day (May 6) and Bike to Work Week (May 11-17).
- Small Business Week (May 3-9, 2026): Council Member Sharp invited Economic Development Director David Putnam and local business representatives (Growler Grlz, Olmaz Jewelers) to the podium. The council recognized small businesses' role in jobs, innovation, and community character.
- Period Poverty Awareness Week (May 11-17, 2026): Council Member Ryan invited Madison Lewis from the Diaper Bank of North Carolina to the podium. The council acknowledged challenges accessing menstrual products and encouraged support for local initiatives.
Announcements by Council Members
- Mayor Anderson: Concluded Poetry Month with a library event; pickleball courts at Ephesus Park closed for ~3 weeks for resurfacing; community survey launched; reminded of May 6 meeting where Town Manager will present recommended budget.
- Council Member Nollert: Encouraged advocacy for Workforce Housing Loan program; raised concerns about recent Medicaid rebase provisions including work requirements and reporting requirements for non-citizens.
- Council Member McMahon: Requested that the Planning Commission be allowed to meet in-person at Town Hall for LUMO review and training. Council members affirmed support; Town Manager noted ongoing work to enable in-person meetings once a month.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda was approved unanimously (motion by Council Member Ryan, second by Council Member Miller-Foushee). Items included:
- Recommended 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan (Resolution R-1, Ordinance O-1)
- FY 2025-26 Audit Services – Authority to extend contract with Mauldin & Jenkins for $61,000 (Resolution R-2)
- Appointment to OWASA Board of Directors – Judith Miller appointed effective April 30, 2026
Public Comments & Testimony
Charter Amendments Public Hearing (Item 7): Eight speakers addressed the council. Key positions:
- Danita Mason-Hogans (generational Black Chapel Hillian): Opposed reducing council size, stating it would consolidate power and raise barriers for marginalized communities. Urged expanding meaningful representation.
- Mark Kleinschmidt (former mayor): Opposed reduction; cited historical context (1975 expansion to eight seats) and argued four-year mayoral term would create two classes of council members and reduce voter turnout in non-mayoral years.
- Betty Curry (community advocate, Empowerment Inc. board): Opposed process and lack of outreach to Black, Latino, low-income, and renter communities. Called for pause and meaningful engagement.
- Nancy Oates (former council member): Opposed four-year mayoral term as a form of gerrymandering; argued it nullifies voter voice. Favored referendum, not council vote.
- Yvette Mathews (community organizer): Opposed reduction; expressed concern that smaller council would reduce representation for people of color. Noted she only learned of proposal through word of mouth.
- Will Raymond: Opposed reduction; criticized limited outreach and timing (May during exams). Favored keeping current arrangement and adding recall provision and term limits.
- Delores Bailey (Empowerment Inc. executive director): Opposed reduction and four-year mayoral term; stated lack of outreach to NAACP and community. Argued two-year terms ensure accountability.
- Michelle Laws: Opposed reduction and four-year term, citing national context (Voting Rights Act ruling). Noted Chapel Hill's achievement gap and housing crisis require many voices, not fewer.
OWASA Reimbursement Policy (Item 9): Ian Scott (Chamber of Commerce) spoke in support, stating the policy could catalyze development, reduce infrastructure barriers, and advance economic goals. He encouraged council to authorize mayor to transmit comments.
Discussion Items
- 7. Public Hearing: Proposed Charter Amendments – Council Size and Mayoral Term
- Proposal: Reduce council from 8 to 6 members; extend mayor's term from 2 to 4 years.
- Process: Town Manager outlined two options – council ordinance or referendum. Public could petition for referendum within 30 days of ordinance adoption. Timeline to appear on November 2026 ballot required action by June.
- Council Deliberation: After hearing public comments, council members expressed concerns about insufficient community engagement, potential negative impact on representation, and pace. Several members stated they could not support changes without broader input. Mayor Anderson noted no ordinance would be drafted absent further direction. Hearing closed without action; proposal effectively dead.
- 8. 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update
- Presentation: Colleen McGue (Triangle West TPO) presented "Destination 2055," projecting 1.5 million new residents by 2055 (population from 2 to 3.4 million). Plan includes transit expansion (bus rapid transit, intercity rail), bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and roadway modernization. Fiscally constrained with 80% federal, 20% local match.
- Council Discussion: Questions about local funding liability, project scoring, and connections to airport (RTP line with I-40 connection planned for third decade). Council received and filed the update.
- 10. Update Regarding Planning in the Southern Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
- Presentation (Tas Lagoo, Planning): History of Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement (WASMPBA) expansion (360 acres, 139 parcels) to allow local planning. Development potential constrained by environmental and economic factors. Sewer alignment study: technically feasible but expensive – creekside gravity option ~$20 million, 15-501 alignment ~$40 million. Estimated gross density 3-6 units/acre across 360 acres, translating to 1,100-2,200 units. After excluding roads, stream buffers, high-value properties, and other constraints, ~90 acres likely developable at 12-25 units/acre.
- Council Discussion: Questions about soil conditions, greenway alignment possibilities, feasibility of missing-middle housing (limited due to high infrastructure costs), and potential for public investment or density nodes. Council received and filed the update; expressed desire for future reports.
- 9. Proposed OWASA Reimbursement Policy
- Presentation: Policy would allow developers who extend water/sewer lines to receive partial reimbursement from future benefiting property owners, reducing "first-mover disadvantage." OWASA Deputy Executive Director Monica Dudson clarified eligibility and administration.
- Council Discussion: Support for policy with comments on equity, affordable housing, 20-year reimbursement timeline (vs. proposed 10), and need to assist low-income households already in the area. Council adopted Resolution R-3 authorizing Mayor to transmit comments reflecting these themes. Unanimous vote.
- 11. Participate in the National Opioid Settlement with the Six Remnant Defendants
- Action: Resolution authorizing Town Manager to execute participation and release form for one-time settlement payment for opioid abatement activities. Unanimous vote.
Key Outcomes
- Charter Amendments: Public hearing closed; no ordinance drafted; proposal not to appear on future agenda. Council committed to ongoing dialogue with community.
- 2055 MTP: Update received and filed.
- Southern ETJ Planning: Update received and filed.
- OWASA Reimbursement Policy: Resolution R-3 adopted unanimously to transmit council comments (support with emphasis on equity, affordable housing, 20-year timeline).
- Opioid Settlement: Resolution R-4 adopted unanimously to authorize participation.
- Closed Session: Council entered closed session at 9:52 PM under GS 143-318.11(a)(4) and adjourned at 10:52 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the April twenty ninth meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council. We are glad to have you join us. Do you hear a strange noise? I hear a strange noise. It does sound the last time. Everything's fine. It's the it's the Yule log. Oh, we go. No, it's the laptop. You all tried to blame Melissa. Okay. Thank you. Uh, we are glad to have you join us. Um, we this evening we have five items on our agenda for discussion. Um, the first is a public hearing on proposed town charter amendments for council size and the mayor's term. Um that will be followed by an update on the twenty the twenty fifty-five Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Um, our third item is an update regarding planning for the Southern Air Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. Ooh, I didn't get that mouthful out. I really tried. The Southern Extraterritorial Jurisdiction or ETJ. Fourth will be to discuss an Awasa reimbursement policy. And our final item is a discussion about the participation about participation in the national opioid settlement. Um council members immediately following, we will have a closed session. Um, okay. Um joining us for this announcement tonight, we have Nate Holmes from Chapel Hill Transit, um, who is leading the town's transportation demand management program, and also in the audience are members of Shift Chapel Hill Carborough. So would you all please join Councilmember Rivers up front for that announcement? Uh huh. Oh, the mask and the glasses. The worst combination of the people. Guided by our plans for a more connected and accessible community. In celebration of the power enjoy a bike in our community, the town council is proud to proclaim my May twenty twenty twenty-six as bike month in Chapel Hill. And we invite everyone to put on your helmet, please put on your helmet, and join us for bike and roll the school day on May 6th. And bike to work week, May eleventh through May 17th. And we encourage everyone to ride more and drive less this year and to wear a helmet. Okay, let's go. Oh, here. Definitely. Don't be leaving smart. Oh. Hold on one second. Thank you. All right. Next up, our second announcement is for Small Business Week, which will be shared by Councilmember Sharp. For this one, we invite David Putnam from Economic Development, along with representatives of our local business community, Ole Maz Jewelers, Growler Girls, and Launch Inc. If you can join Councilmember Sharp up front. Sure, I have to hear. Here in Chapel Hill, small businesses are a cornerstone of our local economy, creating jobs, driving growth, and enriching the character of our community. Small businesses also serve as gathering places, foster innovation, and help create the unique, welcoming sense of community that defines Chapel Hill. In celebration of their dedication and entrepreneurial spirit, we are pleased to proclaim May 3rd through 9th, 2026, the small business week, and to encourage everyone to shop small and support local businesses during that week and year round. Thank you.
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