Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – January 13, 2025
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Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – January 13, 2025
The Fayetteville City Council met on January 13, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting opened with an invocation by Apostle Karen Hale, the Pledge of Allegiance, announcements (including recognition of Deputy Clerk Jennifer Ayers for earning the Master Municipal Clerk designation and a special recognition for first responders who assisted during Hurricane Helene), and a city manager report on the police chief recruitment process. Public forum featured eight speakers on topics including Bragg Boulevard revitalization, senior services, Sentinel Event Review (SER) implementation, and concerns about the direction of the Office of Community Safety (OCS). The council approved the consent agenda with one item pulled for separate vote, received reports, and held two public hearings. Key outcomes included adoption of a ghost gun regulation resolution (8-2) and approval of a road closing for the Crown Event Center; the Phase 5 annexation assessment vote was postponed pending resolution of a property owner's double-payment concern.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of meeting minutes from November 25, 2024, December 2, 2025 (work session), December 9, 2024 (discussion and regular).
- Adoption of the 2025 Federal Action Agenda and 2025 State Action Agenda.
- Proposed ordinance to prohibit blocking or impeding street and sidewalk access.
- Rezoning (P24-46) of 5.21 acres on S Reilly Road from Agricultural Residential (AR) to Light Industrial (LI).
- Adoption of Special Revenue Fund Project Ordinance to appropriate FY24 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program Award.
- Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance Amendments for the General Aviation Hangar Development Project and contract award to Daniels & Daniels Construction Company, Inc.
- Communication from Independent Auditors regarding FY 2024 Audit.
- Bid recommendation for the Rosemary Drive Drainage Improvement Project.
- PWC Fourth Amendment to Lease of Suite 102 of R. C. Williams Building.
- PWC resolution approving license agreement with CELLCO Partnership (Verizon Wireless) for tower space at 5306 Spruce Drive.
- Item 8.0A4 (Resolution in Support of Ghost Gun Regulation) was pulled from consent for a separate vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chad McEwen (CEO of Kraken Skulls, 822 Shannon Drive) expressed support for revitalizing Bragg Boulevard, proposing city assistance with permitting, grants, infrastructure improvements, and marketing to attract veteran- and military-family-owned businesses. He described his own investment in rehabilitating properties.
- Chalenko Hurst urged the council to support the Sentinel Event Review (SER) process, criticized the continued use of Confederate names for nine military bases, and called for renaming Bragg Boulevard. He also raised concerns about voting challenges and unaddressed hate crimes in Fayetteville.
- Caterina Cunningham (Seniors You Are Not Forgotten) asked the city to partner with her organization to combat loneliness and depression among seniors in nursing homes. She requested volunteers and resources for her thrift store–funded outreach.
- Sean McMillan (6224 Golden Rain Drive) strongly urged adoption of the SER process, accusing the council of abdicating responsibility and lacking moral leadership. He referenced specific police-involved deaths, including Jada Johnson.
- Mr. Cook expressed disappointment in the council’s decision to reverse course on exploring SER, calling it a missed opportunity to save lives. He criticized using the Office of Community Safety as an excuse to delay other accountability measures.
- Lizette Rodriguez also expressed disappointment, emphasizing that SER is a non-punitive, independent review process used in healthcare and aviation to prevent future errors. She noted the council could still take additional time to study the issue and urged them to act.
Discussion Items
- City Manager Report – Police Chief Recruitment: HR Director Jerry Clip outlined the search process, which includes using Developmental Associates (same firm as previous searches). The process will involve community input, a “DNA” profile of desired qualities, a realistic job preview, assessment centers for finalists, and meet-and-greet sessions with council, police foundation, and community. The position is not yet posted; council feedback sessions are scheduled for January 27 and 30, 2025.
- Ghost Gun Regulation (Item 8.0A4): Councilmember Hondros requested a separate vote, stating he could not support items 2 and 4 of the resolution. After discussion, the resolution was adopted 8-2, with Councilmember Hondros and Benavente voting in opposition.
- Linear Park Board Report (9.01): Board Chair Brian Del Rosario reported completion of three major achievements in 2024: repair of a burned staircase ($20,000), near-completion of the trailhead behind the dog park ($15,000), and planning for a dedication ceremony (May/June 2025). He recommended renaming the board to the Central City Parks and Trails Committee to address Fayetteville’s ranking as the least walkable U.S. city (score from walkscore.com). The report was received unanimously.
- Office of Community Safety Update (10.01): Assistant City Manager Jeff Yates presented progress on the four pillars (mental health response, violence prevention, homelessness risk reduction, youth opportunities). Key activities include scaling the community paramedic program, partnering with Durham HEARTS, continuing microgrants (122 awards, $275,000), and hiring two program staff (expected February 2025) to restart the director search. Mayor Colvin noted 90-95% of listed activities are already operational. Councilmember Green expressed concern about hiring staff before a director, and others pressed for more community engagement. The report was received on a motion by Councilmember Benavente, seconded by Councilmember Davis.
- Public Hearing – Closing a Portion of Ottis F. Jones Parkway (11.01): Staff presented the petition to close a driveway into the future Crown Center. No public speakers. Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and order closing the portion.
- Public Hearing – Phase 5 Annexation Utility Improvement Project Area 32 East Section I (11.02): PWC’s Janelle Rothrock presented the final assessment roll. One resident, Mr. Michael Morgan, testified that he had already paid for water connections in 2010 and should not be assessed again. Councilmembers Thompson and Benavente expressed support for resolving the issue before confirming assessments. The vote was postponed to allow time to investigate Mr. Morgan’s case.
Key Outcomes
- Ghost Gun Resolution adopted 8-2 (Hondros and Benavente opposed).
- Linear Park Board report received with commendation.
- Office of Community Safety update received; council directed staff to provide more community engagement opportunities and to report back on hiring progress.
- Road closing for Crown Event Center approved (Ottis F. Jones Parkway portion).
- Phase 5 Annexation assessment vote deferred; staff to work with PWC to address double-payment concerns before next meeting.
- Police chief search process will continue with council input sessions on January 27 and 30.
- Sentinel Event Review was not formally on the agenda but was heavily discussed during public forum; no council action taken.
- Historic District Design Standards update (item 12.01) was not discussed; no action.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone. We would like to call our January 13th, 2025 FIVA City Council meeting to order. Welcome all those who are joining us in the audience, those who are joining us remotely at this time, as with every meeting, we start with the invocation. We'll ask that Apostle Karen Hale from New Life Ministries. Hey, Apostle, how are you doing? All right, if we could all stand for the prayer immediately following uh the prayer, if we could do the Pledge of Allegiance. Amen. Father, we come to you this evening first to give you thanks, oh God. Thank you for this meeting. We thank you for allowing us to come together in this new year. We pray now, Lord, that you would bless the mayor. We ask you to bless the council. We ask that you would give guidance on tonight that it be decent in order. We pray, God, that there would be wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We pray for dignity, we pray for unity, we pray for peace. And God, we just want to say thank you for all things, and we give you praise in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. Apostle, good to see you again. Good to see you. My neighbor across across the street. But uh would you uh maybe tell us a little bit about yourself and your ministry? Okay, I'm Apostle Karen Hale, New Life Ministry Pastor and Founder. We are located directly across the street from Colvin Funeral Home, 2015 Murchison Road. We've been in ministry for 22, almost 23 years, and we are glad to be in the community. We do also have a seminary school, theology school that we offer associates, batches, masters, and doctoral program. And so we're just glad to be in the community and to serve in this capacity. We appreciate you. Thank you for the work you do in the community. Thank you for giving us the prayer tonight. Um, council, as we move to the next item we have announcements. I'll go to Councilwoman Banks McLaughlin. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to recognize um the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Happy Founders Day. This is the hundred and twelfth Founders Day, so congratulations. Thank you, Mayor. All right, happy founders day to ladies of Delta Sigma Theta. Um also, Council, as we move to our announcements and recognition, we have uh very special uh recognition and designation to one of our very own who keeps us all together around here. Uh, in addition to the other other members of staff, but right now it asked that uh uh deputy clerk Jennifer Ayers would meet me at the podium. Uh and I guess Mayor Pro Tim, would you read this? I would be honored to. This is a great day for all of us. We all feel like we're celebrating one of our own family members. The Master Municipal Clerk Program is the second and more advanced of two professional designations granted by International Institute of Municipal Clerks. The MMC program is an advanced continuing education program that prepares participants to perform complex municipality deputies. Congratulations. We know somebody that can turn it on.
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