OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - November 27, 2023

City Council — Monday, November 27, 2023
BodyFayetteville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 27, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

Our members that are leaving us tonight.

0:04

So in the name of Jesus, Lord, we thank you for this great opportunity.

0:10

We're always we always honored Lord just to say thank you, Jesus.

0:15

We always honored, Father, as soon as our feet hit the floor to say, Father, we thank you for another day.

0:25

Lord, we thank you for the council members tonight.

0:30

Those that are with us and those that are with us for the last time, Council Woman Ingram and Mayor Pro Tim Dawkins.

0:39

It has been an honor to serve with them.

0:45

And Lord Jesus, I thank you on behalf of our council.

0:50

Lord, as we move forward tonight with our agenda, I ask you in Jesus' name to help us to be open and understanding of each agenda item that it is about the individual constituent resident and not about the individuals that represent the areas.

1:15

And we just thank you for so much, Lord.

1:17

We ask you to let us have a meeting of harmony as we move forward into our new year.

1:23

We also ask you, even in advance, for moving forward in harmony.

1:29

And Lord, we ask all of these things that we'll speaking audibly in those things that are in our heart.

1:37

We ask you in the name of Jesus.

1:41

Amen.

2:10

Thank you, Pastor.

2:12

Councilmember DJ Hare.

2:15

Good man.

2:17

Also like to make a special welcome to some former colleagues.

2:23

And if you you're welcome to stand and wave, or you can just wave.

2:35

Thank you, Larry.

2:36

Appreciate you being here.

2:40

Councilmember Yvonne Kinston.

2:42

It's nice to see you.

2:46

Former Councilmember Tisha Waddell.

2:49

Thank you for being here.

2:53

There's a lot of hardware up here.

2:56

I'm impressed.

2:57

Let me put my find my glasses here.

3:00

All right.

3:01

Our first recognition and announcement tonight is from Metronet.

3:06

So if the Metronet folks will please come forward.

3:11

And that doggone fella that used to work with us left us doggone it.

3:15

I wish he was still with us, Dr.

3:17

Telly Whitfield.

3:22

And also, I believe we have Dave.

3:24

Is it Heimbach?

3:25

He unfortunately he couldn't make it.

3:27

All right, and then we have a lady with you also.

3:32

No.

3:35

Oh, you're doing okay.

3:36

All right, thank you.

3:37

All right, Dr.

3:38

Whitfield.

3:39

Good evening, Mayor Pro Tem and Council.

3:41

This is interesting.

3:44

It seems like just a few months ago I was presenting before you other items for your attention.

3:51

My colleague uh Eddie Massingill sends his apologies.

3:56

Um, he is unfortunately he's absent today.

3:58

Um, for many of you who remember, uh, Mr.

4:02

Massengill was instrumental in bringing Metronet here.

4:06

Um, and unfortunately, he had a personal conflict and could make it today.

4:09

But he definitely sends his regards.

4:12

So thank you for allowing Metronet a little bit of time today within your regular meeting to recognize another huge milestone in our collective journey to making Fayetteville a city for today and a future proof tomorrow.

4:29

In late January 2001, while I served as an assistant city manager here, Metronet started aerial and underground construction on our 100% fiber optic network across this community.

4:44

Today, the project sits at nearly 80% built.

4:50

Once complete, the fiber deployment will represent a private investment of over 70 million dollars in this community.

5:00

70 million dollars in this community and the infrastructure footprint that reaches 60,000 Fayetteville households and businesses.

5:13

So today, we are here to declare the city of Fayetteville as a certified gigabit city powered by Metronet.

5:25

Being a certified gigabit city means that we have exceeded the point where a majority of the homes and businesses now have access to Metronet's Fiber Network.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████29%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Annexation████████████12%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Zoning And Land Use███3%
Racial Equity███3%
Economic Development██2%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - November 27, 2023

The Fayetteville City Council met on November 27, 2023, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included recognition of a new Gigabit City certification, farewells to outgoing council members, staff reports from the Fire and Police Departments, two annexation public hearings, and approval of a housing development loan. Several rezoning items were postponed to a future public hearing.

Announcements and Recognition

  • Gigabit City Certification: Metronet declared Fayetteville a certified Gigabit City (seventh in the nation, first in North Carolina), representing a private investment of over $70 million with fiber reaching 60,000 households.
  • Primetime Elite Bulldogs Youth Football Team: Recognized for winning conference, state, and regional championships; coaches requested donations for an upcoming national competition in Naples, Florida.
  • Farewell to Outgoing Council Members: Councilmember Shaquila Ingram (District 2) and Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins (District 5) were honored for their service as they depart the council.

Consent Calendar

  • The agenda was approved with amendments: Items 7.08 (P23-47), 7.10 (P23-49), and 10.01 (SUP23-09) were pulled and set for public hearings on January 8, 2024. The remaining consent agenda items were approved unanimously.

Staff Reports

  • 5002 Collins Street Update: Dr. Jerry Newton reported that property owners were advised of extensive repairs needed; staff recommended proceeding with the existing demolition ordinance.
  • Fayetteville Fire Department 2023 Third Quarter Review: Chief Hill reported 9 vacancies, 21,029 calls through September (up ~400), average total response time of 6 minutes 59 seconds. Opioid overdoses trending up but below 2021. Recruitment efforts highlighted, including a planned application opening on January 2, 2024. Councilmember Thompson questioned the drop in fire inspections due to loss of a grant-funded inspector. The report was accepted unanimously.
  • Fayetteville Police Department 2023 Third Quarter Review: Chief Braden reported overall persons crimes down 8%, property crimes down 12%, but homicides up 12% (39 victims, 95% clearance rate). Fentanyl seizures increased dramatically to 41 kg (up from 3.5 kg). Traffic stops up 59%. Use of force in 1.24% of arrests (61 incidents out of 4,929 arrests). Councilmember Benavente raised concerns about racial disparities in traffic stops (2:1 ratio for Black drivers) and use of force (75% against Black individuals). Chief stated stops are based on violations and force is reasonable/necessary. The report was accepted unanimously.

Public Hearings

  • AX23-05: Annexation of 21.05 acres at 0 Jossie Street: Staff presentation by Demetrius Mutos. One speaker (Victoria Clarkson, representative) spoke in favor. Council voted unanimously to adopt the annexation ordinance effective November 27, 2023.
  • AX23-06: Annexation of 13.84 acres at 1416, 1446, 1476 Middle River Loop: Staff presentation. Kenneth Smith (engineer for applicant) spoke in favor, requesting discussion on sidewalk requirements. The motion was amended to set the effective date to January 8, 2024. Approved unanimously.

Other Items of Business

  • Single Family Housing Development Loan for Kingdom CDC’s Rosehill Road Project: Presented by Chris Cawley. Proposed $725,000 zero-interest loan from ARPA funds for 16 single-family homes (9 reserved for low/moderate income). Councilmember Thompson asked about income limits (80% area median income: $53,650 for 4-person household). The loan was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda (with items 7.08, 7.10, and 10.01 pulled for public hearing on January 8, 2024).
  • Accepted Fire and Police Department quarterly reports.
  • Approved annexation AX23-05 (effective November 27, 2023).
  • Approved annexation AX23-06 (effective January 8, 2024).
  • Approved $725,000 ARPA loan for Rosehill Road housing development.

Meeting Transcript

Our members that are leaving us tonight. So in the name of Jesus, Lord, we thank you for this great opportunity. We're always we always honored Lord just to say thank you, Jesus. We always honored, Father, as soon as our feet hit the floor to say, Father, we thank you for another day. Lord, we thank you for the council members tonight. Those that are with us and those that are with us for the last time, Council Woman Ingram and Mayor Pro Tim Dawkins. It has been an honor to serve with them. And Lord Jesus, I thank you on behalf of our council. Lord, as we move forward tonight with our agenda, I ask you in Jesus' name to help us to be open and understanding of each agenda item that it is about the individual constituent resident and not about the individuals that represent the areas. And we just thank you for so much, Lord. We ask you to let us have a meeting of harmony as we move forward into our new year. We also ask you, even in advance, for moving forward in harmony. And Lord, we ask all of these things that we'll speaking audibly in those things that are in our heart. We ask you in the name of Jesus. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. Councilmember DJ Hare. Good man. Also like to make a special welcome to some former colleagues. And if you you're welcome to stand and wave, or you can just wave. Thank you, Larry. Appreciate you being here. Councilmember Yvonne Kinston. It's nice to see you. Former Councilmember Tisha Waddell. Thank you for being here. There's a lot of hardware up here. I'm impressed. Let me put my find my glasses here. All right. Our first recognition and announcement tonight is from Metronet. So if the Metronet folks will please come forward. And that doggone fella that used to work with us left us doggone it. I wish he was still with us, Dr. Telly Whitfield. And also, I believe we have Dave. Is it Heimbach? He unfortunately he couldn't make it. All right, and then we have a lady with you also. No. Oh, you're doing okay. All right, thank you. All right, Dr. Whitfield. Good evening, Mayor Pro Tem and Council. This is interesting. It seems like just a few months ago I was presenting before you other items for your attention. My colleague uh Eddie Massingill sends his apologies. Um, he is unfortunately he's absent today. Um, for many of you who remember, uh, Mr.

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