Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – August 11, 2025

The Fayetteville City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included recognitions, a public forum with 19 speakers, a consent agenda with 27 items (one pulled for public hearing), a staff report on the FY2025 year-end strategic performance, and referral of three administrative reports to a future work session. Key highlights included the proclamation of Zion’s Day, the presentation of the Key to the City to Tony Brown, and a vote to extend the public forum.

Announcements & Recognitions

• Proclamations and Awards: The Council proclaimed June 7, 2025, as “Zion’s Day” in memory of seven-year-old Zion Gibbs, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2024. Tony Brown received the Key to the City for his community service. Retired Sheriff Enos Wright was recognized for 31 years of law enforcement service.
• ICON Interns: Summer interns from the city’s Innovative Career Opportunities Now (ICON) program were recognized.
• Community Events: Councilmembers announced upcoming events: Yemoja Festival (Aug 23), NAACP Family Fun Day (Aug 16), and a Veterans Legislative Town Hall (Aug 16).

Consent Calendar

• Approved as a block (with one pull): The Council approved 26 consent items, including minutes, rezoning requests (P25-35, P25-36, P25-37), speed ordinance revisions for Seabrook Road and West Rowan Street, budget amendments, grants, loan commitments, and PWC equipment purchases.
• Item Pulled: Councilmember Jensen pulled Item 8.0A8 (relating to a stormwater project – CPO 2026-29 amendment) and requested a public hearing at the August 25 meeting. The motion to pull passed 9–1 (Councilmember Mahondros opposed). Note: Several public commenters had asked to remove a rezoning item for a 7-Eleven in College Lakes, but the pulled consent item pertained to a different stormwater project; the discrepancy was not addressed on the record.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carmella McKeller (Region 6 Project Inc.): Expressed support for BIPOC arts and cultural space at 100 Hay Street, asked the city for financial support and partnership.
• Tosqualizy (Outlaw Horse Club): Thanked the Council for a microgrant that allowed a community event with 320 attendees; positive feedback.
• Sean McMillan (District 8): Opposed city policies including youth curfew, ShotSpotter, no-camping and no-loitering ordinances, arguing they enable authoritarianism and harm civil liberties.
• Dr. Dion Felice: Supported a new YMCA building, citing health benefits and the need for a modern facility; requested collaboration rather than direct funding.
• Bernard McCoy: Advocated for the HEAR program (Inflation Reduction Act) to bring $208 million in energy-efficiency funding to Cumberland County; asked for contractor training and proactive engagement.
• Keosha McCoy Brown (Talented Tenth Properties): Urged affordable housing solutions, noting a 54% increase in median home prices (to $239,000) while median income is $56,395; requested incentives for affordable units and down payment assistance.
• Eugene Balogun: Alleged mistreatment by Fayetteville Police Department regarding a fraud case; requested reinvestigation and case reopening.
• Justin Chase (YMCA of the Sand Hills): Supported YMCA expansion, noting the current building is 55 years old and failing.
• Arlene Fields (College Lakes resident): Requested removal of a rezoning item for a 7-Eleven from consent agenda and scheduling a public hearing; cited limited notification and concerns about traffic, safety, and quality of life. Several other residents echoed similar concerns.
• Jacob Davis: Proposed eliminating parking minimums in city code to promote walkability and sustainable development, citing examples from other North Carolina cities.
• Catherine Goldblatt (District 5): Raised pedestrian safety concerns at intersections near Haymont and Terry Sanford neighborhoods, noting missing crosswalks and ADA compliance issues.
• Donna Johnson: Demanded action on health, safety, and traffic concerns regarding the College Lakes rezoning.
• Reverend Bernard Hayes: Supported YMCA as a community asset for youth and seniors.
• The Council voted (8–0) to extend the public forum by eight minutes to accommodate all speakers.

Discussion Items

• Staff Report – FY2025 Year-End Strategic Performance: Presented by Chris Lowry and Andrew Brayboy. Key metrics: 14% reduction in violent crime; 261 individuals accessed mental health services through police liaison; 72 blighted structures removed using only 8.3% of the general fund demolition budget; 45 new jobs created (nine times the target); 10 city-owned lots awarded for affordable housing; 1.17 million website visits; social media impressions exceeded 11 million. Councilmembers discussed youth engagement (late-night rec center events), brand perception, and satisfaction rates (64% positive quality of life rating). The Council received and accepted the report.
• Administrative Reports (Items 10.01, 10.02, 10.03): Reports on Catalyst Site 1 MOU with FSU, Downtown Municipal Service District quarterly report, and City Manager’s update on agenda item requests were referred to a future work session without formal action.

Key Outcomes

• Vote to Approve Agenda with Addition: Unanimously approved adding PWC annexation resolution as Item 8.0A28.
• Vote to Extend Public Forum: Motion to extend by eight minutes passed (seconded by Councilmember Davis).
• Vote on Consent Agenda: All consent items approved except Item 8.0A8, which was pulled for public hearing (vote 9–1).
• Vote to Accept Strategic Performance Report: Unanimously accepted.
• Referral of Administrative Reports: The three admin reports will be placed on a future work session agenda.