Fayetteville City Council Work Session - May 5, 2025
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Fayetteville City Council Work Session - May 5, 2025
The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on May 5, 2025, beginning at 2:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The agenda included updates on construction management, property tax collection, homebuyer assistance programs, the Market House repurposing project, and a property acceptance policy. Council members made several decisions, including approving contracts, directing further studies, and voting on program expansions.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the agenda (unanimous).
Discussion Items
Construction Management Division Update
- Adam Lindsay and Blair Hinkle (Freeze and Nichols) presented an assessment of the Construction Management Division, noting progress and recommending improvements in project management, cost controls, and transparency. Staff proposed a 12-month contract extension with Freeze and Nichols to implement recommendations. Council expressed support and motioned to receive the information and authorize the city manager to proceed with the contract. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion of City Collection of Property Taxes
- Chris Lowry (SPA) presented preliminary findings on bringing property tax collection in-house versus contracting with Cumberland County. The analysis indicated upfront costs would likely not save money but would provide greater control and unified billing. Council discussed challenges including data delays, staffing, and delinquency collections. A motion to direct staff to further investigate a third-party collection service and answer other questions, with a report back by August 2025, passed with consensus.
Options for Revisions to the Homebuyer HERO Programs
- Chris Collie reviewed proposed changes to the down payment assistance programs, including removing the first-time homebuyer requirement (expanding to move-up buyers), requiring applicants to use state programs first, expanding public service eligibility to retirees and private sector healthcare/education employees, and revising employment requirements for city employees. Council gave direction to staff to prepare a final policy incorporating expansions discussed, to be presented at the May 12 meeting. Motion to proceed passed 9-1, with Councilmember Benevente opposed.
Market House Repurposing Project Update
- Recreation Director Michael Gibson and staff presented two alternatives for pedestrian and traffic improvements around the Market House roundabout: Alternative 2B (expand center plaza by ~9 feet, cost ~$1.08M) and Alternative X (no expansion, cost ~$750K). Council selected Alternative 2B, citing alignment with community input. A motion to proceed passed. Staff noted a $74K budget shortfall would be addressed through eligible grants or reallocated funds.
Property Acceptance Policy (Mayor Pro Tem Jensen)
- Mayor Pro Tem Jensen requested acceptance of a donated property on Rogers Road (parcel 04284270) needed for drainage easements, noting the lack of a city policy for accepting real property. Council voted 9-1 to accept the specific parcel and directed the legal department to draft a policy for future donations. Councilmember Benevente voted in opposition.
Key Outcomes
- Approved a 12-month contract extension with Freeze and Nichols for construction management support.
- Directed staff to analyze property tax collection options and report back by August 2025.
- Approved expansion of the Homebuyer HERO program; staff to return with final policy on May 12.
- Approved Alternative 2B for Market House repurposing, with funding adjustments to be identified.
- Accepted donated real property and initiated development of a property acceptance policy.
Meeting Transcript
Now we welcome council. We'll call a meeting to order. Item 2.0 was the invocation of prayer, like we start every meeting. Ask if any council members would like to give me the invocation of the prayer. Councilmember Thompson. Thank you, Ms. Merritt. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you, dear Lord. We humbly come before you today, Lord, telling you thanks just for another day. If you don't do anything else, Lord, we just want to say thank you, dear Lord. For we know that you're coming back. You're coming back for all those who are going to do your will and according to your purpose, dear Lord. So remember that when that day comes, all we want to hear is job well done, my faithful servant. So let us go out. Let us go out and tell everyone in the world about the goodness of the Lord and all that He's done. I know for me and my family, we will serve the Lord all the days of our lives. Now, Heavenly Father, I pray that you would bless this council, bless this mayor, bless this city, bless the state, and bless this world, Heavenly Father. Let your righteousness rain down on us. Let us be true to your word, true to what you're saying, dear Lord. We ask you to continue to bless us and keep us. We ask these things just on Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. So we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under our indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember Thompson. Item 3.0 is the city manager's report. Mr. Manager. This whole agenda is your report. In the interest of time, Mayor, um, no, I uh don't have any report to give at the beginning of the work session. All right, thank you. Council 5.0 is approved of the agenda. Uh can you have a motion to approve? All right. Motion by Councilman Mahondro, seconded by Councilmember Hare. Discussion on the motion to approve the agenda. All right. Those in favor, Council, I look to you on your uh sure system for votes. Councilmember Banks McLaughlin. Uh, what's your pledge on agenda approval? Um else will be missed. Okay. All right. Motion carries by those present. Uh moving to the first item 6.01, construction management division update. All right, Mr. Lindsay. Your show.
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