OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Work Session - September 2, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 2, 2025
BodyFayetteville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

We can get things done in the right atmosphere.

0:06

In Jesus' name we pray.

0:08

Amen.

0:10

Thank you.

0:11

So if everyone could stand for pledge allegiance.

0:18

To the flag of the United States of America.

0:21

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:24

One nation under God.

0:27

In the visible for liberty and justice for all.

0:35

Okay, before I go to the manager's report, we have Councilmember Benevente on Teams.

0:43

If that is my understanding, Councilmember Benevente, are you there?

0:48

Yes, can you hear me all right?

0:50

We can hear you.

0:51

Thank you.

0:51

So that leaves one, two, three, four, five.

0:55

Seven.

0:56

Eight of us here.

0:57

Okay.

0:57

So with that being said, um, city manager for your report, please.

1:03

No report this morning, ma'am.

1:07

All right, we will go into the approval of the agenda.

1:11

Can I get a move?

1:14

All right.

1:15

I've got a first from council member Thompson and a second from Council Member Hare.

1:21

All those in favor, raise your hand.

1:23

Aye.

1:24

Okay.

1:25

So let's go to 6.01.

1:30

Receive Blunt and Gillespie redevelopment efforts uptake.

1:35

And that will be Mr.

1:36

Collie.

1:52

All right, well, I'll be I'll be quick.

1:54

So thank you, uh, Council uh Chris Collie Economic Community Development.

1:58

So here this afternoon to update you on where we're at working on trying to find a productive and valuable use for our property at Blunt and Gillespie.

2:07

Um just uh uh kind of an idea of what we're gonna do here.

2:10

I have a consultant team here tonight to work with us, HRNA, um uh their office out of Riley is supporting us, but they're all over the place.

2:18

They'll tell you all about them here in a minute.

2:20

Uh basically we want to look at the goals of that feasibility study, provide an overview of the future decisions that would be coming back to council and looking for direction on, um, discuss the opportunities and challenges that the market presents, some of our stakeholder and community engagement, and then a couple of very preliminary development concepts that have been sketched out for the property.

2:42

So starting off, we'll talk about project overview a little bit.

2:45

So if you're not familiar with the Blunt and Gillespie property, this property is um uh a little over nine acres, about nine and a quarter, um, at the intersection of Blunt and Gillespie, less than a mile from downtown.

2:58

Uh this property was originally acquired through our Hope Six efforts.

3:02

Uh we did that back in 2007, 2008.

3:05

We revitalized a bunch of affordable housing with in partnership with the housing authority and the private sector.

3:11

And uh we also uh developed the concept for some economic development and growth as part of that project.

3:18

Um the concept that we had for it didn't quite come to fruition.

3:22

Lots of things came up.

3:24

Um one is you know, we we were looking for a part viable partner to help bring that economic development uh uh concept to life, but then also COVID happened and changed a lot of things economically and through the marketplace.

3:38

Uh if you if you you know are familiar with this intersection, the site also has the E.

3:43

Smith House uh located on it.

3:45

Um that parks does a lot of really awesome programming, partnering with some local uh uh schools through the Cumbra County system and with Fateville State University programming out that site with some really cool historical tours and things like that.

3:59

So to get here, we did not just kind of start from scratch.

4:03

We've got a bunch of things that were standing on the shoulders of giants and those that came before us, uh starting with the downtown renaissance plan, which talked about this property and set the basis for a lot of our our downtown redevelopment that that we work towards today, um, our comprehensive land use plan, um, the county's comprehensive land use plan, which talks about the growth of the city and the county and and what you know the elected bodies and city staff have recommended for the vision for that growth.

4:30

And then uh the economic and business development strategic action plan, which we pretty much call the Red Rock Global Study.

4:37

Um and so that one's very interesting because it did actually come up with four focus areas uh that it really leaned in on.

4:45

Um and one of them is this piece of property in particular, so I'll save that one for last.

4:49

Uh the first focus area was upper merchant road.

4:52

Um it talked about the need for transportation improvements, the need for economic development to happen in that area, and so we just wanted to give a quick update on that.

5:00

That as of right now, NCDOT is still wrapping up the right-of-way acquisition and ready to invest 52 million dollars in road and multi-use paths on the upper part of Murchison Road.

5:12

There's also some potential for industrial development.

5:15

I talked to Robert over at FCDC, and he said he's working with the property owners and marketing that property as appropriate to bring in economic development and growth towards the 295 there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████████30%
Downtown Revitalization█████████████13%
Procedural████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Active Transportation█████5%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Parking Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Fayetteville City Council Work Session - September 2, 2025

The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on September 2, 2025, starting at 2:00 PM and lasting until after 5:00 PM. The council reviewed several items including the Blount and Gillespie redevelopment, Fayetteville State University's master plan update, an independent evaluation of ShotSpotter technology, adjustments to the Homebuying HERO program, bicycle lane ordinance clarifications, a resident request process for no-parking zones, and three council member requests. Key decisions included approving a one-year extension of the ShotSpotter contract (8-2), approving bicycle lane ordinance amendments, and directing staff to study after-school programming for Massey Hill.

Discussion Items

Blount and Gillespie Redevelopment Efforts Update (6.01)

  • City staff and consultant HRNA presented an update on the 9.3-acre site at Blount and Gillespie Streets, acquired through HOPE VI in 2007-2008. The presentation included market analysis, three preliminary development concepts (all mixed-use with multifamily residential, retail, and green space), and community input from 45 in-person participants and 92 online survey respondents.
  • Councilmembers discussed zoning, traffic concerns, the need for more public engagement, and potential improvements to the historic E.E. Smith House on the property.
  • The city manager noted the final report is expected in November 2025.
  • Council unanimously voted to receive the report.

Fayetteville State University Update on MOU for Catalyst Site 1 (6.02)

  • Chancellor Darrell T. Anderson presented FSU's 2023-2033 master plan, highlighting completed and ongoing capital projects: Bronco Pride Hall ($50 million, 336 beds), Bronco Midtown (community project), Health and Wellness Center (March 2026 completion), College of Education (fall 2026), new parking deck (September 2025), UPA apartments renovation ($3.5 million), and the Military Academic Center (Cook Building renovation, $11 million, August 2028).
  • Anderson announced enrollment growth from 7,100 to 7,628 students.
  • Council praised the progress and partnership. Unanimously voted to receive the report.

Evaluation of ShotSpotter Technology – Wilson Center Report (6.03)

  • Dr. Jessica Gettelman and Professor Brandon Garrett from the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke University presented the final report on the 18-month pilot of ShotSpotter in three zones (Campbellton, Central, Cross Creek).
  • Key findings:
    • Dispatch times were about 2 minutes faster when ShotSpotter alerted (with or without 911) compared to 911 alone.
    • Officers spent more time on scene (20+ minutes) when both ShotSpotter and 911 alerted, vs. 10-11 minutes for either alone.
    • At most, 24% of ShotSpotter-only alerts were confirmed as gunfire (by evidence, victims, etc.).
    • Alerts with both ShotSpotter and 911 were much more productive (evidence collection, arrests, victim identification).
    • The study could not determine if faster response improved outcomes or if ShotSpotter reduced gun violence.
  • Council debated the value: Councilmember Hare and Davis supported continuation citing life-saving potential and community support; Councilmember Benavente questioned accuracy (marketed as 97%, actual confirmation ~24%) and cost ($220k/year for 1-year or $661.5k for 3-year).
  • Chief Bryan stated he would not change response protocols based on the report.
  • Motion to accept the report and extend ShotSpotter for one year passed 8-2.

Homebuying HERO Program Affordability Period Update (6.04)

  • Staff reported that HUD adjusted affordability period thresholds: down payment assistance under $25,000 requires 5 years; $25,000-$50,000 requires 10 years; over $50,000 requires 15 years. The change reduces affordability periods for some buyers.
  • Councilmember Thompson confirmed funding remains available.
  • Council gave consensus to align program with new HUD guidelines.

Bicycle Lane Ordinance Clarifications (6.05)

  • Assistant Public Services Director Brian McGill presented proposed amendments to define bicycle lanes (reserved for bikes only) and prohibit parking in them. Multi-use lanes (common in neighborhoods) allow parking unless a no-parking zone is requested.
  • Council discussed connectivity and the need to update the 2020 Bicycle Plan.
  • Motion to approve the ordinance amendments and place on consent agenda passed unanimously.

Resident Request for “No Parking” in Neighborhoods (6.06)

  • Staff presented a proposed process for residents to request no-parking zones on streets with multi-use lanes, requiring 70% signature approval from both sides of the block, following the speed hump process.
  • Councilmember Hondros warned of unintended consequences, but the request was narrowly tailored to multi-use lanes.
  • Motion to accept the report and recommendations passed.

City Manager’s Update on Council Agenda Item Requests (6.07)

  • Staff reported an 80% closure rate on council requests for FY25. Several items were noted as completed or pending policy committee action.
  • Council received the report.

Parkview Manor and the Downtown MSD – Mayor Colvin (6.08)

  • Mayor Colvin requested a study comparing how peer cities handle municipal service districts (MSD), particularly regarding residential properties like Parkview Manor that were added after the MSD was created and are assessed an extra 10-11% fee.
  • Council consensus to refer to the Policy Committee.

Ruritan Drive Speed Limit Reduction – Councilmember Hondros (6.09)

  • Request to reduce speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph and consider speed humps.
  • Council approved the request.

Massey Hill After School Programming – Councilmembers Davis & Benavente (6.10)

  • Councilmember Benavente presented information from other cities showing a 70% reduction in juvenile crime after investing in after-school programming for at-risk middle school students (ages 11-14) at alternative schools, noting Massey Hill Rec Center is adjacent to Howard Learning Academy.
  • Councilmember Thompson urged collaboration with the county and school board.
  • Council gave consensus to send the request to staff (OCS) for further exploration.

Key Outcomes

  • ShotSpotter Contract (6.03): Motion to accept the report and extend the contract for one year (approximately $220,000) passed 8-2. The contract will be placed on a future consent agenda.
  • Bicycle Lane Ordinances (6.05): Approved amendments to clarify bicycle lane definitions and parking restrictions; to be placed on consent agenda for adoption.
  • HERO Program (6.04): Received update and gave consensus to adjust affordability periods per HUD guidelines (administrative change).
  • No-Parking Process (6.06): Approved the proposed resident-driven process for no-parking requests on multi-use lane streets; staff directed to finalize.
  • Council Member Requests (6.08-6.10):
    • 6.08: Sent to Policy Committee.
    • 6.09: Approved speed limit reduction and speed hump study for Ruritan Drive.
    • 6.10: Referred to staff (OCS) for further study on after-school programming.
  • Closed Session: Council voted to enter closed session to discuss pending litigation (CD vs. PCH).

Meeting Transcript

We can get things done in the right atmosphere. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you. So if everyone could stand for pledge allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. In the visible for liberty and justice for all. Okay, before I go to the manager's report, we have Councilmember Benevente on Teams. If that is my understanding, Councilmember Benevente, are you there? Yes, can you hear me all right? We can hear you. Thank you. So that leaves one, two, three, four, five. Seven. Eight of us here. Okay. So with that being said, um, city manager for your report, please. No report this morning, ma'am. All right, we will go into the approval of the agenda. Can I get a move? All right. I've got a first from council member Thompson and a second from Council Member Hare. All those in favor, raise your hand. Aye. Okay. So let's go to 6.01. Receive Blunt and Gillespie redevelopment efforts uptake. And that will be Mr. Collie. All right, well, I'll be I'll be quick. So thank you, uh, Council uh Chris Collie Economic Community Development. So here this afternoon to update you on where we're at working on trying to find a productive and valuable use for our property at Blunt and Gillespie. Um just uh uh kind of an idea of what we're gonna do here. I have a consultant team here tonight to work with us, HRNA, um uh their office out of Riley is supporting us, but they're all over the place. They'll tell you all about them here in a minute. Uh basically we want to look at the goals of that feasibility study, provide an overview of the future decisions that would be coming back to council and looking for direction on, um, discuss the opportunities and challenges that the market presents, some of our stakeholder and community engagement, and then a couple of very preliminary development concepts that have been sketched out for the property. So starting off, we'll talk about project overview a little bit. So if you're not familiar with the Blunt and Gillespie property, this property is um uh a little over nine acres, about nine and a quarter, um, at the intersection of Blunt and Gillespie, less than a mile from downtown. Uh this property was originally acquired through our Hope Six efforts. Uh we did that back in 2007, 2008. We revitalized a bunch of affordable housing with in partnership with the housing authority and the private sector. And uh we also uh developed the concept for some economic development and growth as part of that project. Um the concept that we had for it didn't quite come to fruition. Lots of things came up. Um one is you know, we we were looking for a part viable partner to help bring that economic development uh uh concept to life, but then also COVID happened and changed a lot of things economically and through the marketplace. Uh if you if you you know are familiar with this intersection, the site also has the E. Smith House uh located on it. Um that parks does a lot of really awesome programming, partnering with some local uh uh schools through the Cumbra County system and with Fateville State University programming out that site with some really cool historical tours and things like that.

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