Fayetteville City Council Work Session - January 6, 2025

The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on January 6, 2025, beginning at 2:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included the invocation, pledge of allegiance, city manager's report, approval of the agenda, and discussions on multiple items including state and federal legislative agendas, building code inspector certifications, the Makerspace project, sentinel event review, a sidewalk obstruction ordinance, red-light cameras, council travel, term limits, election reform, and bike lane clarity. Several motions were passed, and some items were directed to committees for further review.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the agenda: unanimous.

Discussion Items

• State Action Plan 2025: Presentation by staff on legislative priorities including infrastructure, housing, public safety, and economic development. Council raised concerns about homelessness collaboration and the naming of a regional training center. The final agenda will be presented at the next meeting.
• Federal Action Plan 2025: Presentation on federal priorities and recent grant successes. Focus on Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant, workforce, housing, and military support. Staff will package the agenda for council approval.
• Changes to Building Code Inspector Certifications: Explanation of new state certification levels effective 2030. Discussion on recruitment, training, and impact on inspections. Motion to accept the report passed.
• Makerspace Project Update: Proposal to use the remaining $450,000 to activate the building at Rowan Street and Bragg Boulevard. Council agreed to move forward with the project, emphasizing partnerships and eventual operation by a nonprofit. Motion to accept the report passed.
• Introduction to Sentinel Event Review: Framework presented for reviewing major incidents (e.g., officer-involved deaths) to improve systems. Council debated scope and timing. Motion to direct staff to develop the concept and begin engaging partners passed.
• Proposed Ordinance to Prohibit Impeding Sidewalks: Ordinance to ban blocking sidewalks by objects or persons. Council discussed enforcement and education. Motion to adopt at the next meeting, including outreach to DOT, passed 9-1.
• Red-Light Camera Program: Councilmember Thompson proposed reinstating the program at 15 intersections. Debate on efficacy and revenue use. Motion to reinstate passed.
• Council Travel: Councilmember Haire proposed using travel budgets for plaques and coins. After discussion, motion to refer to the policy committee to consider increasing the clerk's budget for such items passed.
• Term Limits: Councilmember Benavente requested staff research term limits. Motion to direct the policy committee to study term limits failed 7-3.
• Election Reform: Benavente proposed multiple reforms (at-large seats, four-year terms, even-year elections, ranked-choice voting, publicly funded campaigns). The item was not advanced; no motion passed.
• Bike Lane Clarification: Councilmember Benavente requested clarity on definitions of bike lanes vs. multi-purpose lanes. Motion to direct the city attorney to clarify the ordinance, ensuring bike lanes are not eliminated, passed.

Key Outcomes

• Passed: Approval of agenda.
• Passed: Accept report on building code inspector certifications.
• Passed: Accept report and move forward with Makerspace project.
• Passed: Direct staff to develop sentinel event review concept and engage partners.
• Passed: Adopt sidewalk obstruction ordinance at next meeting (with DOT outreach) (9-1).
• Passed: Reinstate red-light camera program.
• Passed: Refer council travel budget issue to policy committee.
• Failed: Motion to study term limits (7-3).
• No action: Election reform proposals not advanced.
• Passed: Direct city attorney to clarify bike lane ordinance.
• Other: Closed session approved for economic development and attorney-client privilege discussion. The state and federal action plans will be finalized at the next regular meeting.