Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – March 13, 2023

The Fayetteville City Council held a regular meeting on March 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, a city manager COVID-19 update, a public forum with five speakers, a debate on four-year staggered council terms, and the approval of numerous board and commission appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes from February 22, 23-3267.01; February 27 (discussion and regular), 23-3235.02.
• Adopted Budget Ordinance Amendment 2023-13 for Emergency Telephone System Fund additional funding (NC 911 Board approved).
• Adopted ordinance amendments to resume criminal enforcement of certain city ordinances.
• Approved request for legal representation of city employees.
• Adopted Resolution of Intent for Four-Year Staggered Terms (item 7.05 was pulled for separate discussion).
• Approved bid recommendations: 1st and 2nd stage bucket sets for GE 2001P gas turbine, Conductor 500 MCM, and Pole Mount/Single Phase/Three Phase Pad Mount Distribution Transformers for contract year 2024.
• Consent agenda approved unanimously (with the exception of 7.05).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lizette Rodriguez (Fayetteville Freedom for All) advocated for an Office of Community Safety (OCS), citing 4,000 mental health calls per month to FPD, a 103% increase in youth suicides, and the CAHOOTS program’s savings in Eugene, Oregon. She invited all to a town hall on March 20 at Smith Recreation Center.
• Laura Kane (resident, Millstone Landing) expressed concern about infrastructure funding (roads, bridges, pipes) and suggested pursuing federal/state grants. She noted some success securing funding for Grace Creek water infrastructure.
• Chilenko Hearst criticized overzealous law enforcement, citing his own kidnapping charges under NC GS 14-39, alleged false resisting arrest charges by the new police chief, and the use of National Guard guns at the slave market. He also called for raising the homeless shelter temperature threshold from 32°F to 42°F, and referenced historical forced sterilization of Black mothers.
• Chris Welch (owner, Badger Box Mobile Storage) requested a change to the zoning ordinance limiting shipping container use to 30 days. He argued it harms customers needing longer storage during renovations and suggested a permit extension or reclassification. Mayor responded that the planning department can grant extensions upon request.
• Sean McMillan echoed the OCS town hall invitation, advocated for a NACOLE-credentialed director, mental health crisis response (like Durham HEARTS), and violence interruption programs. He referenced local police killings (Joshua Oxendine, Jason Walker, Jada Johnson) and called for systemic change.

Discussion Items

• City Manager COVID-19 Update – Mr. Scott Bullet reported the federal incident period ends in 59 days; 182 flu deaths last week vs. 1,359 COVID deaths over a similar period; a new combo COVID/flu home test (Lucera) is on the market; main concern remains congregate sheltering during hurricanes.
• Proclamations – Transit Driver Appreciation Day (March 18, 2023); celebration of life for Sun Thompson, longtime owner of Chain Seafood Market; National Procurement Month; Women’s History Month (March); E. Smith High School girls and boys varsity basketball champions day.
• Four-Year Staggered Terms (Item 7.05) – Councilmember Benavente pulled the item to discuss process. Attorney McDonald explained that after a public hearing on April 10, the council could vote to amend terms to four years, contingent on a referendum or not. Councilmember Ingram asked about adding two-year staggered terms but was told it cannot be added to this resolution. Councilmember Benavente argued the change should go to voters (previous ballots rejected it 5 times). Councilmember Thompson defended the proposal, citing savings, stability, and that Greensboro made a similar change without a referendum. The Resolution of Intent to set the public hearing passed 8-2 (Benavente and Jensen opposed).
• Appointments Committee Recommendations – Councilmember Hare read ~60 nominees for Airport Commission, Community Police Advisory Board, Fair Housing Board, Fayetteville Next Commission, Historic Resources Commission, Human Relations Commission, Joint City/County Appearance Commission, Lanier Linear Park, NC Fire Relief Fund, Parks & Recreation Board, Personnel Review Board, Planning Commission, Public Arts Commission, Senior Citizens Advisory Board, Stormwater Advisory Board, and Zoning Commission. The slate was approved (motion by Hare, second Ingram) with Councilmember Banks-McLaurin voting no.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (except 7.05) approved unanimously.
• Resolution of Intent for Four-Year Staggered Terms approved 8-2 (Benavente, Jensen opposed). Public hearing set for April 10, 2023.
• Appointments committee nominations approved (motion carried, with one opposed).
• City manager’s report received; no formal action.