Fayetteville City Council Work Session - June 3, 2024
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Fayetteville City Council Work Session - June 3, 2024
The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on June 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM to discuss multiple agenda items including festival park management, a police district lease, a community safety micro-grant program, downtown parking policies, parks and recreation project updates, and the proposed FY 2024-25 operating and capital budget. The council took several votes and reached consensus on a number of items, with additional budget discussions scheduled for June 12, 2024.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution Authorizing Lease for Cross Creek District Police Office: A five-year lease for 4,200 square feet of office space and 1,200 square feet of outbuilding on Raeford Road was presented. Councilmember Thompson expressed concern over the cost (nearly $1 million over 10 years) and suggested exploring city-owned property or co-location with fire stations. The lease will be brought forward on the consent agenda at the next council meeting.
Discussion Items
- Festival Park Management Proposal (24-4025): Staff presented a response from OVG360 to manage Festival Park, following a council member request for an RFP. Councilmember Green raised questions about the park's design (no gates, low stage, limited access) and the ability to host large ticketed events. Others noted the company's projections for profitability and suggested capital improvements. The council voted 10-2 to invite OVG360 for a future discussion to answer detailed questions.
- Empowering Community Safety Micro-Grant Program Close Out Report (24-4062): Chris Collie presented the final report on the program, which awarded 96 grants totaling $225,000 over four rounds. The program funded community watch groups, individuals, and nonprofits, with over 20,000 residents participating. Seven recipients became new nonprofits. Councilmember Benavente moved to fund two more cycles (12 months) at $100,000 using ARPA dollars, seconded by Councilmember Mahondros. The motion carried by consensus.
- Fayetteville Downtown Parking (24-4064): Traffic Engineer Brian McGill presented data on paid parking and the Franklin Street parking deck. Changing the paid parking end time from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. would result in a 19-20% loss of paid parking revenue, require sign updates, and potentially reduce turnover for downtown businesses. Councilmember Mahondros moved to end paid parking at 5 p.m. effective July 1, 2024, and to review the entire paid parking program during the July retreat. The motion passed 10-2.
- Parks and Recreation Projects Report Card (24-3997): Staff provided updates on multiple projects. Highlights included: Mazarick Tennis Center – remaining funds of $3.3 million, with two contracts (site work and tennis courts) to be combined and rebid; Mabel Smith Center – awaiting new contractor after abandonment, with 4-6 month completion timeline; Cape Fear River Park – phased development within existing $1.7 million budget; MacArthur Road Sports Complex – $2.8 million remaining but full build-out estimated at $13-19 million; MLK Park – monument moved to avoid PWC issues, with $100,000 in bonds and additional funding from county and state. The council also discussed the Merrill Road access to Maserett Park, which uses FAMPO funding and is in design phase.
- Recommended FY 2024-25 Operating and Capital Budget (24-4067): ACM Yates presented the final budget work session, responding to council questions. Discussion included the use of ARPA funds: staff had reallocated $2 million originally set aside for the Step Up America program to the Hillside Manor rehab project without explicit council approval, which drew criticism. Councilmembers Thompson and Benavente pressed for clarity on unspent project funds, fund balance usage, and the feasibility of using ARPA for police pay compression. The council decided a final work session on June 12, 2024, at 12:00 PM was needed to resolve remaining questions before adopting the budget.
Key Outcomes
- Festival Park Management: Consensus to invite OVG360 for further discussion (10-2 vote).
- Police District Lease: Will be placed on consent agenda for approval.
- Community Safety Micro-Grant Program: Motion to fund $100,000 for two cycles using ARPA dollars passed by consensus.
- Downtown Parking: Motion to end paid parking at 5 p.m. effective July 1, 2024, and review the program in July, passed 10-2.
- Budget: Additional work session scheduled for June 12, 2024, at 12:00 PM to conclude budget discussions.
- Parks and Rec Projects: Staff directed to proceed with rebidding Mazarick Tennis Center contracts and to continue progress on other projects as funding allows.
Meeting Transcript
And residents, as we go forward in handling the citizens of Fedville's business. Yes. Lord, we don't have all the answers. We don't know all the answers. So Lord, right now we ask you to help us to be open for understanding and questions and responses from council members throughout and staff and helping us to make the correct decision on these matters. Lord, those of us that are around this table and in this room under the sound of my voice. If anyone is not feeling well in their body, in Jesus' name, we ask you, Father, to heal their body, strengthen them. Only a way that you can do, Father, whatever problems may be going out on in the city and districts and whatnot, and what council members have to go and deal with, Father. Help you. We ask you to help them as they go about to serve their communities. Amen. Thank you. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Council moving to the approval of the agenda. Been notified by the attorney that she would like a closed session. Okay, yeah. All right. So thank you, Councilmember Davidson. We'll get you to put that in form of a motion. So motion to go into closed session. I move that we kick. Can we do a motion to approve the agenda? Uh and then we'll come back with uh add that. I did Madam Attorney. Do we need to add closed session? No. Okay. All right. So there's a motion about Councilmember Davis to go to closed sessions or seconded by Councilmember McNair. Any discussion? Those in favor of going into closed session, show of hands. All right. It's unanimous. I guess we'll move over. Councilmember Davis Davis, if you could just add to your motion claim. The purpose. Yep. I move that we go into closed session for attorney client privileges to discuss city versus the state of Jada Johnson. Okay. So let's shift next door, and we'll be back as soon as possible. This guy that just got to work. Mr. Gibson, Michael Gibson. Please don't tell him that. No. Hope we got something to talk about because we're going to talk about it. Yeah, I got a little something. All right, Council.
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