Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2025
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Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2025
The Fayetteville City Council met on May 12, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included proclamations, recognitions, a public forum extended to 75 minutes, the presentation of the FY2025-2026 recommended budget, and the introduction of a Youth Protection Ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Approved meeting minutes from April 23 and April 28, 2025.
- Adopted Capital Project Ordinance Amendment to appropriate payment-in-lieu-of-resurfacing revenue to street resurfacing projects (CPOA 2025-47).
- Approved revisions to the Homebuyer HERO Programs.
- Adopted Special Revenue Fund Project Ordinance Amendment and accepted additional grant funding for the Conservation Restoration Plan for Cross Creek Cemetery #1 (SROA 2025-3).
- Resolutions calling for public hearings regarding the permanent closing of portions of Bullock Street and Arsenal Avenue.
- Ordinance requiring towing operators to clean accident sites (Item 8.0A7 pulled for discussion, later approved unanimously).
- PWC bid recommendation for two prefabricated concrete relay control houses.
Public Comments & Testimony
The public forum was extended to 75 minutes by a 5-4 vote; 27 speakers were on the list. Key themes included:
- Youth curfew opposition: Multiple speakers (Joel Cook, Lisette Rodriguez, Angela Tatum, Sean McMillan) argued the proposed curfew is punitive, could violate constitutional rights, and would deter youth from seeking help. They called for investment in community-based solutions rather than enforcement.
- Curfew support: Demetria Murphy, a licensed clinical social worker and former federal inmate, stated she is "for it" as a preliminary measure to save lives, noting the risk to Black and brown youth.
- Recreation for people with disabilities: Samantha Keys requested affordable and accessible programs at Gilmore Center, including handrails and more activities.
- Cape Fear River Trail extension: Chris Hoffman, CEO of Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, opposed the proposed trail route through the Gardens' conservation easement, citing negative impacts on admission revenue, environmental education, and wildlife. He urged consultation and suggested alternative routes.
- Homelessness and veterans: Speakers Ben Holtquist (Strongtowns Fayetteville) argued homelessness is a housing problem and urged zoning reform and rent control. Jimmy Plater proposed a "tiny homes for veterans" ecosystem model and requested city land.
- Other topics: Whitaker Granis (Cumberland County Beekeepers Association) discussed bee conservation; Joseph Schwab raised concerns about uneven enforcement of amplified sound ordinances; Joseph Ellerby promoted water filtration; Mary Skelly called for a task force on child trafficking; Crystal Maddox (Fayetteville Pride) cited safety concerns moving the festival to the Crown; Leonard Williams offered resiliency coaching; and Kong Camon requested more time for property repairs.
Discussion Items
- Item 8.0A7 – Ordinance Requiring Towing Operators to Clean Accident Sites: Councilmember Hare pulled the item, asking the City Attorney to clarify that the ordinance applies to all towing operators, not just those on the city rotation. The attorney confirmed the ordinance covers all operators engaged in towing from collision sites. The council approved the ordinance unanimously.
- FY2025-2026 Recommended Budget: Assistant City Manager Jeff Yates presented the $312 million total recommended budget (down $8.5M from FY2025). Key features: recommended tax rate of 44.95 cents per $100 valuation (6 cents above revenue neutral); $4.6M for employee compensation (4% pay increase, steps for police/fire/telecommunicators, 401k increase); no rate increases for stormwater or solid waste; $3.1M in new investments aligned with council priorities (construction management, public safety, housing); and a $1.3M reduction in services. Councilmember Hare noted the budget is a staff recommendation and the council will deliberate with the goal of providing property tax relief. Council accepted the report and set a public hearing for May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM (vote 8-1).
- Youth Protection Ordinance (Curfew): The ordinance was introduced for first reading; state law prohibits passage on the same day. Councilmember Benevente made a motion to require city staff to work with partners before instituting any curfew. Staff confirmed they are already assembling a task force and will provide implementation details at the May 27 meeting. The motion was seconded but no vote was taken; the ordinance will return for adoption on May 27.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted the consent agenda (all items except 8.0A7) unanimously.
- Approved the towing operator cleanup ordinance unanimously.
- Accepted the FY2025-2026 recommended budget and set the public hearing for May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM (8-1 vote).
- Introduced the Youth Protection Ordinance; council directed staff to report back with partnership and implementation details before adoption on May 27.
- Recognized Miss Fayetteville, Girl Scout Gold Award recipients, police award recipients, and proclaimed Police Week (May 11-17) and Economic Development Week (May 12-16).
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call the May twelfth, twenty twenty-five city council meeting to order, please. First, we would like to have Pastor Yvonne Hodges from the Solid Rock Mountain Church to come forward. If we could get everyone to stand and welcome. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, I lift the mayor, city officials, and all other decision-making persons that are associated with this meeting. Please guide their words during this meeting. Help them to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully with one another. Help them to keep the community needs in the forefront. May they listen with empathy and speak with integrity, ensuring that their conversation lead to understanding and clarity. Amen. Um, I just wanted to um recognize uh this is May Month, the what a month of May, and we're celebrating a National Mental Health Awareness Month, National Foster Care Month, National Physical Fitness and Sports, National Military Appreciation Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Teacher Appreciation Month, National Pet Month, and National Barbecue Month. And I also just want to make mention that on May 15th from 10 to 2 at Festival Park, we're having an ECD annual stand down. So please come out of support. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Banks McLaughlin. Councilmember Hare. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tim. I have a couple of announcements that I would like to make everyone aware of. May the 17th. And that will begin at 9 a.m. If no one in here has ever been a part of the prayer walk, is where uh prayer warriors or those that believe in prayer come together and walk out through walk throughout the city and uh uh pray not only for our government but for our children, the libraries and and along that line. So that will be May the 17th at beginning at 9 a.m. Uh we start up in Festival Park and then we go around throughout and then come back to Festival Park for celebrations. Also, this is a little uh a little ways off, but a very great opportunity to mark your calendar. Uh uh the main sponsor uh betacide chapter of Omega Sophia Incorporated with its many, many partners to include Crumlin County and the Theory Group. We will be having our eighth annual HBCU college experience that will be August the 16th, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. And we have grown so much that we have moved from Smith Recreation Center. Now we're in the Crown Expo Center 1916 uh Coliseum Drive out by the Crown uh Coliseum. That would be August the 16th, the 16th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Uh this is for our graduating seniors. So those that are getting ready to graduate, uh headed off to college. What a great way to connect, especially with the uh historical black colleges. Uh we would greatly love to have your children there. Thank you, Mayor Pro Tem. Thank you, Councilmember Hare. We also have Councilmember Benevente on the phone, so I will go to you. Thank you, Madam Mayor Pro Tem. Hope everyone can hear me all right. Yes. Okay, assuming that's true. Yes, we can hear you. Great. Uh, just wanted to clarify Hispanic Heritage Month is actually in September through October. Uh, may is, however, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Uh, so I wanted to make sure that folks knew that we were recognizing all the great contributions of our Asian American uh community here in Fayetteville. I'm proud to be the first Asian America elected in the city's history. Uh it's high time that more of our communities step up and uh take on opportunities uh to big give back to the city of Fayetteville, and I hope they uh think to do that this month. Thank you.
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