Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – November 18, 2024

The Fayetteville City Council held a regular meeting on November 18, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, announcements, proclamations (GIS Day), recognition of Public Services Department for Hurricane Helene response, a city manager report on loose leaf collection, a public forum with two speakers, and several agenda items. Key discussions centered on capital project close-outs, bridge ownership, park bids, and financial updates, with multiple items pulled from the consent agenda for separate votes.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with a motion to pull items 8.0A3, 8.0A4, 8.0A5, and 8.0A6 for individual votes. The remaining consent items were approved unanimously (Councilmember Davis voted in opposition).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charles Matthews (resident since 1959, age 87) thanked the council for their work and specifically praised the mayor for addressing a manhole leak on his property. He also noted a planned walking trail in a predominantly Black neighborhood and expressed hope for continued city-PWC cooperation.
• Michael Austin (resident, pedestrian safety advocate) shared a personal story of a friend killed in a 2007 crosswalk accident on Monetta Drive. He called attention to unsafe crosswalks on Skibo Road and asked how residents who miss public meetings can provide input on pedestrian safety plans. The city manager responded that citizens can always email concerns, and staff provided an update on pedestrian planning updates expected in spring 2025.

Discussion Items

Item 8.0A3 – Capital Project Close Out Ordinance and $100,000 Appropriation for Mable C. Smith Park

• Action: Councilmember Green moved to approve the close-out ordinance separate from the appropriation. After debate, the close-out was approved 10-0 with a directive for staff to present detailed breakdowns of the $3.8 million in leftover funds (from various funds including parks bond, stormwater, etc.). A subsequent motion by Councilmember Davis to allocate $100,000 to Mable C. Smith Park passed 6-4 (Councilmembers Hondros, McNair, Green, and Benevente opposed).

Item 8.0A4 – Municipal Agreement with NCDOT for CSX Bridge Ownership (Skibo Road Sidewalk Project)

• Action: Councilmember Green questioned maintenance costs. A motion to table for more information failed (4-6 opposed: McNair, Banks McLaughlin, Hare, Thompson, Colvin, Jensen). A motion to approve passed 7-3 (Councilmembers Hondros, Green, Benevente opposed). Staff noted NCDOT will fix the bridge underside; the city will maintain the top as a multi-use path, with overall project cost estimated at $2 million.

Item 8.0A5 – Award Mable C. Smith Park Bid to Alpha Builders for $595,000

• Action: Councilmember Green expressed concerns about bid discrepancies (range of bids). A motion to table failed (4-7 opposed). A motion to approve with authorization passed 8-2 (Councilmembers Green and Hondros opposed).

Item 8.0A6 – Award Mazarick Park Tennis Center Building Bid to M&E Construction for $2,573,629

• Action: Extensive debate about site readiness and remaining site work costs. Councilmember Green moved to table for more information; that motion was replaced by a motion to approve from Councilmember Hare, which passed 7-3 (Councilmembers Green, Hondros, Benevente opposed). Staff confirmed the building pad is certified, and approximately $1.6 million remains for site work, but based on bids, that amount is insufficient to complete all remaining work. Staff will provide additional details to council.

Item 9.01 – Receive Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) Report

• Action: Dr. Perkins, CPAB chair, presented the board’s strategic plan and three priorities. Councilmembers questioned the board’s effectiveness and lack of documented policy recommendations over three years. Councilmember Benevente read a letter from a resigned member criticizing the board’s culture. Councilmember Thompson defended the board’s volunteer efforts. The motion to receive the report passed (no vote tally given, but unanimous).

Item 10.01 – Receive FY 2025 First Quarter Financial Update

• Action: Assistant Manager Yates presented the financial status: general fund performing as expected, fund balance effectively at 15-16% after adjustments ($3.8 million surplus from project close-outs is separate). Police overtime higher than budgeted; staff will discuss staffing levels at a future meeting. Council also noted a dispute with the county over sales tax distribution calculations; the city has recalculated and shared worksheets but not yet paid the county’s invoice. The report was received (motion by Councilmember Hare, seconded by Councilmember Thompson, passed unanimously).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved except for four pulled items.
• Capital project close-out approved 10-0 with directive for staff presentation on fund sources; separate allocation of $100,000 to Mable C. Smith Park passed 6-4.
• CSX bridge ownership agreement approved 7-3 after motion to table failed.
• Mable C. Smith Park bid approved 8-2.
• Mazarick Park Tennis Center building bid approved 7-3.
• CPAB report received; council requested more detailed future updates.
• FY 2025 first quarter financial report received; staff to monitor police overtime and report on staffing.
• Next steps: Additional information on bid breakdowns, bridge maintenance costs, and site work costs to be provided. Second quarter financial report expected early February 2025. Bond issuance planned for late spring/early summer.