Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – October 14, 2024

The Fayetteville City Council met on October 14, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations honoring Dorothy McCahan (October 12 as Dorothy McCahan Day) and recognizing October as Blindness Awareness Month, announcements of community events, a city manager’s report on ongoing support for western North Carolina after Tropical Storm Debbie, a public forum with 12 registered speakers, a consent agenda with one item pulled for separate debate, two staff reports, and three other business items. Key decisions included approving transportation for St. Avold visitors with expanded service to Raleigh and Durham, directing staff to pursue a federal emergency watershed protection grant for Siple Avenue, amending the NEXT Commission bylaws, and appointing members to boards and commissions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes of September 18, 23, and 23 (agenda briefing, discussion, regular).
• Awarded a $455,510 contract for Transit’s Real-Time Passenger Information System.
• Adopted budget ordinance amendment appropriating a $94,000 reimbursement grant for the Urban Search and Rescue Program.
• Adopted Capital Project Ordinance 2025-25 and Special Revenue Ordinance 2025-10 for Federal Transit Administration FY24 grant NC-2024-075-00 and required local match.
• Adopted Capital Project Ordinance appropriating $166,185 from FY24 Community Policing Development Microgrants for crime analysis GIS capacity.
• Adopted Special Revenue Fund Project Ordinance appropriating $500,000 from the Office on Violence Against Women FY2024 Local Law Enforcement Grants for cybercrime enforcement.
• Approved PWC consent items: construction for Butler Warner Generation Plant gas line replacement (bid recommendation), sole source for Cla-Val pump control valve and solenoid valves, and sole source for 10 M420D PCS/PCS Omni device kits and 10 M400D Single SPM-900 extensions.
• Item 8.0A2 (transportation for St. Avold visitors) was pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gwendolyn Fuller (resident, McPhee Drive area): Raised concerns about speeding on short streets (McPhee, McBain, McCrae, McGill), inadequate speed bumps, and a request for police to sit on private property. Also noted a “no trucks” sign being ignored.
• Tosco Lindsay (Outlaw Horse Club): Thanked the city and Axe Baptist Church for a microgrant that supported an educational day event on October 5, 2024, with about 170 attendees. Recapped activities (horse riding, bouncy houses, arts and crafts) and invited council to view the Facebook recap.
• Jackie Duncker (resident, Argyle Road): Requested council approval to create a dog therapy program for first responders (police, fire, EMS, dispatch, forensics, 911 callers). Noted that Sergeant Nicole Burton would donate a trained golden retriever named Archie at no cost to the city except insurance, which Police Chief Braden confirmed could be covered within his budget. Provided a folder with supporting articles.
• Eric Hall (first-time speaker): Discussed unemployment statistics (5.7% in August), advocated for tax incentives for corporations to hire apprentices/interns, trade programs (e.g., Home Builders Institute, Habitat for Humanity), property tax incentives for development, and more recreational opportunities for youth. Mentioned difficulty accessing PPP loans despite having a real business. Councilmember Banks McLaughlin suggested the HOPE Program at FTCC and NC Works as resources.

Discussion Items

• 8.0A2 – Transportation for St. Avold Visitors (Pulled from Consent): Council member Benevente moved to approve transportation only within Fayetteville city limits, citing liability and promotion of Fayetteville Airport. Council members Thompson and others argued that the visitors needed transport to/from Raleigh-Durham and to Durham for scheduled outings. Thompson’s alternative motion to provide transportation from Raleigh to Durham (three days) passed 7–2 after the initial motion failed 2–7. (See Key Outcomes for vote tally.)
• 9.01 – Recreation District Cost Allocation & Funding: Assistant City Manager Lindsay and Director Gibson presented an update on the 20-year-old Parks and Recreation operating agreement with Cumberland County. The city seeks to amend line 18, which has held the county’s annual indirect cost payment at $60,000 since consolidation in 2004. The proposed change would tie indirect costs to the city’s most recent cost allocation plan, recalculated annually using generally accepted accounting standards. The county requested an updated cost study, which was provided in September 2024. The county indicated a possible counterproposal for November. Councilmember Green noted that county residents disproportionately use facilities and that direct costs should also be reviewed. Councilmember Hondras moved to accept the report and direct staff to present the amended agreement to county commissioners no later than 45 days. Motion passed unanimously (9–0).
• 9.02 – Glenville Lake Crossing & East Shore Trail Update: Director Gibson reported that the design for the trail from Mary McDonald Park to Filter Plant Road is moving forward with $350,000 in design funding and a $2.1 million FAMPO grant for construction. The crossing bridge over Glenville Lake is not yet funded (estimated $4 million). Public outreach will continue. Councilmember Hare praised the connectivity benefits, including access to Fayetteville State University and the new senior center. Councilmember Benevente clarified that public meetings occurred after the budget was approved. Motion to receive the report passed unanimously (9–0).
• 10.01 – Potential Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Grant for Siple Avenue: Mr. Reeves presented options for addressing Tropical Storm Debbie damage at Siple Avenue, where a private road (former city street closed in 2017) has experienced severe erosion and culvert failure. The EWP program could cover 75% of sediment removal and bank stabilization (estimated at $750,000–$1 million total, requiring a 25% sponsor share). Previous efforts in 2020 failed because homeowners declined to grant permanent easements. Staff recommended submitting a formal request to trigger an NRCS damage survey, which would not commit the city. Councilmember Thompson expressed concern about private road maintenance and taxpayer funding; she argued the road should become public if city funds are used. Councilmember Hare supported the motion but was cautioned about discussing closed-session matters. The motion to direct staff to request EWP assistance and seek state funds for the 25% match passed 8–1 (one dissenting).
• 10.02 – NEXT Commission Amendment of Bylaws – Membership: Councilmember Hare, chair of the Appointments Committee, reported that the NEXT Commission requested reducing its membership from 30 to 20 members and establishing five alternates to ensure quorum. The amendment also allows alternates to count toward quorum (to be included in final language). Motion passed unanimously (9–0).
• 10.03 – Appointments Committee Recommendations for Boards and Commissions: Hare recommended appointments for several boards: Board of Appeals (David Pershakbacker, Jacqueline Tucker); NEXT Commission (Ari Spears, Celeste Goston, Inesto Hassan, Frederick Lowe, James Howes Jr., Jessica Tandler, Maya Martin, Roxy Eppinger, Sarah Ben Dorga, Tara Peel, Timothy Jacobs Jr.); Planning Commission (Alexander Keith, Ernest Logan III, Heather Holmes); and North Carolina Fire Relief Fund Board of Trustees (former Fire Chief Benjamin Majors). Councilmember Banks McLaughlin noted remaining vacancies will be filled through ongoing recruitment. Motion passed unanimously (9–0).

Key Outcomes

• Transportation for St. Avold Visitors: Initial motion (Benevente) to provide transportation only within city limits failed 2–7. Subsequent motion (Thompson) to provide transportation to/from Raleigh and Durham passed 7–2.
• Recreation District Indirect Cost Amendment: Council directed staff to present the amended operating agreement (tying indirect costs to the city’s cost allocation plan) to the Cumberland County Commissioners, with a deadline of no later than 45 days. Unanimous (9–0).
• Glenville Lake Trail Report: Report received; no further directive. Unanimous (9–0).
• Emergency Watershed Protection Grant: Council directed staff to submit a formal request for EWP assistance for Siple Avenue and to seek state funds for the 25% match. Passed 8–1.
• NEXT Commission Bylaws: Approved amendment reducing membership from 30 to 20 and adding five alternates (with alternates counting toward quorum). Unanimous (9–0).
• Boards and Commissions Appointments: Approved all recommended appointments as listed. Unanimous (9–0).