Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2025
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Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2025
The Fayetteville City Council met on September 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting began with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions. Key topics included presentations from the ACE Academy, a 9/11 remembrance proclamation, public comments on ShotSpotter and other issues, and votes on a conditional rezoning, ShotSpotter contract renewal, and a fire station construction manager selection.
Announcements and Recognitions
- Three ACE Academy students (Elena Fillmore, Adriel Torres, Derek Zieg) shared positive experiences at the Aviation Career Education Academy.
- Mayor Mitch Colvin presented a proclamation declaring September 11, 2025, as a National Day of Remembrance.
- City Manager Douglas Hewitt announced upcoming events: "Dug in the District" on September 16, monument unveiling for Mayor Hurley on September 10, and "Fayetteville Out Front" on September 25.
- Councilmember Davis thanked the D Creek Road Community Watch for collecting 5.63 tons of trash. Councilmember Banks McLaughlin promoted a small business survey ending October 3. Councilmember Benavente announced a fashion show at Bill Crisp Senior Center and a mayoral debate at Fayetteville State University.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joseph Schwab criticized the city's ban on amplified sound and opposed ShotSpotter renewal, citing other cities dropping it.
- Jalissa Thomas (D3 Delivery) advocated for second-chance hiring and asked for city support for businesses hiring formerly incarcerated individuals.
- Stacey Graybill (downtown resident and business owner) complained about noise, disorderly conduct, and lack of enforcement, urging council to enforce existing ordinances.
- David Zeitz (Longleaf Pine Realtors president) highlighted realtors' $1 million investment in local education and support for military families and homeowners.
- Tiffany Jones (Realtors Association) detailed community service efforts, including food drives, blood drives, literacy initiatives, and Toys for Tots serving 11,000 children.
- Adam Furr (Home Builders Association) noted new construction generated $84,500 in tax revenue in FY2024 but only $51,600 in FY2025; building 100 homes supports 300 jobs.
- Kristen Starks (Party for Socialism and Liberation) called for canceling ShotSpotter, citing ineffectiveness and intrusion; noted 200+ petition signatures.
- Robert Walls criticized transparency, citing delayed public records requests and alleged First Amendment violations.
- Elijah Whitmark Balthazar opposed ShotSpotter, citing 23% accuracy rate and that 99.5% of true positives had 911 calls.
- Isaac Le Cap criticized council's reaction to Duke University data, accusing them of ignoring evidence.
- Angela Freckleton argued ShotSpotter is a $220,500 band-aid and urged investment in community safety programs.
- Cynthia Swinson Leaks (Broadale neighborhood watch president) presented neighborhood statistics showing no tangible results from ShotSpotter; proposed spending on police incentives and satellite offices.
- Lizette Rodriguez opposed ShotSpotter and called for fully implementing the Office of Community Safety with mental health response; noted a 70% decrease in gun violence in Oakland with violence interruption programs.
- Sean McMillan demanded independent oversight for the Office of Community Safety, implementation of Critical Event Review, and resolution of District 8 annexation issues.
- Chilico Hearst urged the city to pass a sanctuary ordinance protecting Latino residents, similar to Durham.
- Benjamin Holquist argued for upzoning and infill development to improve walkability and city services; criticized approval of a gas station in College Lakes as low density.
Discussion Items
8.0B2 – Conditional Rezoning (0 Morganton Road)
- Councilmember Hondros recused himself due to conflict. Motion to approve passed unanimously (9-0).
8.0B4 – SoundThinking ShotSpotter Contract Renewal ($220,500)
- Councilmember Benavente questioned Chief Bryant about effectiveness. Chief cited 97% sensor accuracy but acknowledged no decline in gun violence in ShotSpotter zones vs. citywide decrease. Councilmember Benavente moved for month-to-month renewal, but motion failed for lack of a second.
- Councilmember Thompson moved to approve the one-year renewal. Extensive debate: Councilmember Benavente and Mayor Colvin opposed (citing Fourth Amendment concerns and the Lawrence Artis case). Councilmember Green and Councilmember Banks McLaughlin supported the police chief's recommendation. Councilmember Hare highlighted statistics: 4,005 shots fired alerts, 1,000 shell casings recovered, 45 arrests, 27 guns recovered. Vote: 8-2 in favor (Councilmember Hondros and Mayor Colvin opposed).
- Councilmember Benavente also moved to adopt data-based recommendations from the Duke study to improve tracking. That motion passed 9-1.
8.0B5 – Fire Station No. 16 Construction Manager at Risk Selection
- Assistant City Manager Adam Lindsay explained the CMAR process, selecting Barr&Barr/HORUS Construction, not to exceed $400,000 for pre-construction. Councilmembers praised multiple oversight layers. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
9.0 – Board and Commission Appointments
- Councilmember Hare read a list of 80 appointments across multiple boards. Motion approved unanimously.
10.01 – Administrative Report on Special Event Security at Festival Park
- Moved to the next work session by consensus.
Key Outcomes
- Approved conditional rezoning for 19.02 acres at 0 Morganton Road (9-0).
- Approved one-year renewal of SoundThinking ShotSpotter contract at $220,500 (8-2). Also approved adopting data recommendations (9-1).
- Approved contract authority with Barr&Barr/HORUS Construction for pre-construction activities up to $400,000 (unanimous).
- Approved board and commission appointments as recommended (unanimous).
- Moved administrative report on Festival Park security to the next work session.
- Adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM (estimated).
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone. We'd like to call our September 8th, 2025 City Council meeting in order. We welcome all of you who are joining us in the audience, those who may be joining us virtually. We welcome you as well. At this time, as with any meeting, we start with the invocation. We ask that Patrick Pastor Richard Sanders, Truvine Ministries, if you would please come to the podium and uh ask that all would please stand for the prayer. Immediately following, if we could repeat the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we've come before you tonight with hearts full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve this city and its people. Thank you for the gift of leadership and the responsibility that you've entrusted to this council. Lord, we ask for your wisdom to guide every decision made in this room. Let clarity replace confusion, unity overcome division, and purpose drive every conversation. May we not seek what is just good, but what is in the best interest for the people of Fayetteville. Bless the city, its leaders, and its citizens, protect our community, provide for those that are in need, and let your peace rest upon us. In your name we do pray. Amen. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God in business. With liberty and justice for all. From our book bag drive. Today, we just launched our um Her Essentials campaign. Campaign, which allows us to collect um items for feminine um feminine hygiene products for all the ladies that are in need at this present time. Well, I appreciate it, Pastor. I'm sorry. All right, but thank you, sir. Thank you for the prayer. Let's give him a round of applause. Tell us about the great things we're doing at the Fly Faye. Good evening, honorable uh Mayor Calvin and uh Fayeville, North Carolina's Distanguage City Council members. Thank you for having us here today. So during August 4th and 5th this year, Fayetteville Regional Airport hosted its fourth annual Aviation Career Education Academy. With the fiscal support of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation, Airport staff, along with several industry partners, a two-day program was planned and organized to introduce the many career paths in the aerospace workforce to the youth of our community. All of which participated in an end of academy survey. The survey results confirmed that the ACE Academy sparked an overwhelming interest in the aeronautical field amongst the participants. The initial North Carolina Department of Transportation Ace Academy grant was accepted by City Council in 2022. Since then, the Academy has expanded to reach the interest in Cumberland County. Today, we've honored we're honored to have three of our ACE Academy students here with us to share their experience. So without further ado, I'd like to personally introduce them to you. Elena Fillmore, 11th grade, she's homeschooled. Adriel Torres, 10th grade, Westover High School, and Derek Zieg, seventh grade, Grace Creek Middle School. Good evening. I am Elena Filmore. First, I want to say how thankful I am that I had the privilege to attend the Ace Academy this year. I truly valued the learning opportunities I had, and the staff was all very welcoming to me. Having activities outside of the classroom, like going on flights, touring the air traffic control tower, and touring the airport itself allowed for engagement outside of classroom instruction. Personally, I enjoyed Dr. Casey Denham's presentation about NASA. This opened my eyes to NASA's focus being not only on space but aeronautics as a whole. Overall, I believe the experience was very valuable, and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to attend. Thank you.
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