Fayetteville City Council Work Session – October 6, 2025

The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on Monday, October 6, 2025, beginning at 2:00 PM. The session covered a range of topics including a report on the United Way campaign, consolidation of the 9-1-1 PSAP with Cumberland County, an update from Cool Spring Downtown District, substantial amendments to HUD annual action plans, a new security protocol for Festival Park, approval of the 2026 meeting calendar, and a report from the Homelessness and Mental Health Committee. The council took several actions, including agreeing to hold a joint city-county meeting on PSAP consolidation and directing staff to fully enforce the clear bag policy at Festival Park.

City Manager Report

• Scott Embry, Executive Director of the United Way, reported that the city’s campaign increased 119% from $27,000 to nearly $50,000. He noted that over 10,000 books are delivered monthly to children ages 0-5 through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and that 565 volunteers packed 71,130 meals in about one hour at a recent event. He reported that 2-1-1 calls in Cumberland County increased 20% year-over-year, with 10,000 calls answered last year. He urged 100% participation from city leaders.
• City Manager Doug Hewitt announced a public open house for updated preliminary flood insurance rate maps on October 9 at 6:00 PM at the Cumberland County Department of Social Services.
• Hewitt also clarified that a widely circulated police incident on social media occurred in Fayetteville, Arkansas, not Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously after a motion by Councilmember Hondros, seconded by Councilmember Thompson.

Discussion Items

1. 9-1-1 PSAP Consolidation with Cumberland County

• Chief Freddie Johnson presented findings from a public safety working group, highlighting three previous failed attempts since 2007 due to governance disagreements. The working group unanimously voted to consolidate. Key recommendations include: a 50-50 shared funding model (operational and capital), a consolidated center director (Ms. Lisa Reed), a governance advisory board of public safety heads, no job losses, salary parity, and the integration of mental health crisis response through Alliance Health. Assistant County Manager Hitter Skeen outlined a two-phase mental health integration: licensed clinicians embedded in the PSAP followed by mobile response teams.
• Councilmembers discussed costs: City Manager Hewitt noted the city currently spends about $6 million on 9-1-1. Councilmember Benevente questioned whether consolidation would produce net savings. Councilmember Thompson advocated for a governance model without elected officials, focusing on professional managers. Mayor Colvin emphasized long-term cost benefits and consistency.
• Key Outcome: Council voted unanimously to accept the report and agree to hold a joint city/county meeting in November 2025 to work out details.

2. Downtown Municipal Service District FY25 Fourth Quarter Update

• Ashanti Bennett, President/CEO of Cool Spring Downtown District, reported that 12 new street-level businesses opened in Q4, 6 closed, netting 20 new businesses for FY 2024-25. The Juneteenth Jubilee drew nearly 20,000 attendees. Other events included a downtown rodeo (12,000–14,000 attendees), a summer concert series averaging 7,000–8,000 attendees, and the annual Zombie Walk expected to draw 20,000. New initiatives include a safety ambassador program (currently one full-time and one part-time), downtown branding banners, and a planned podcast.
• Councilmembers discussed the ambassador program, funding, and the need for more presence. Mayor Pro Tem Jensen praised the program but noted the original concept envisioned ambassadors who greet and assist, not primarily janitorial work. Councilmember Davis expressed interest in shifting funds from a dedicated police officer allocation ($100,000) to expand the ambassador program. City Manager Hewitt cautioned that the Downtown MSD does not fund itself and that any additional spending must be carefully considered.
• Key Outcome: Council unanimously accepted the report. No further action was taken, but discussion indicated a desire to revisit funding for the ambassador program in a broader conversation about downtown security and services.

3. Substantial Amendments to HUD 2021-2022 and 2025-2026 Annual Action Plans

• Jackie Abbott, Community Relations Manager, presented amendments to accept an additional $5,000 in HOME-ARP funds and to shift $280,000 in program income between activities. A new CDBG affordable housing activity of $100,000 was created. A 30-day public comment period (Sept 4–Oct 5) yielded no comments.
• Key Outcome: Council unanimously received the presentation.

4. Special Event Security at Festival Park

• Brooke Redding from the City Manager’s Office presented a new four-tier security matrix for events at Festival Park, developed after council’s May 2025 directive. Tiers range from small events (up to 1,000 attendees) with optional access control to large events (over 10,000) with full perimeter fencing, magnetometers, and mandatory bag checks. The cost for FY26 city-sponsored events is estimated at $90,000, with $60,000 recurring. The clear bag and mask policy is being phased in.
• Councilmembers pressed for immediate full enforcement of the clear bag policy. Mayor Pro Tem Jensen noted that neighboring venues already require clear bags and questioned the delay. City Manager Hewitt acknowledged the misstep and committed to full implementation at the upcoming Dogwood Fall Festival. Councilmember Benevente expressed concern about the impact on small event organizers and asked that staff track any negative consequences.
• Key Outcome: Council provided consensus to continue implementing the protocol, with the directive to fully enforce the clear bag policy immediately. Staff will provide an administrative report after the Dogwood Fall Festival.

5. Proposed 2026 City Council Meeting Dates Calendar

• City Clerk staff presented the draft calendar, keeping the second and fourth Mondays for regular meetings (6:30 PM) and work sessions (2:00 PM). The strategic planning retreat is set for January 20-21, 2026.
• Key Outcome: Council unanimously approved adding the resolution to the October 13 regular meeting consent agenda for final approval.

6. Report from the Homelessness and Mental Health Committee

• Assistant City Manager Kelly Strickland reported that the committee met on September 4, 2025, and received presentations from Redeploying American Veterans (RAV), the Day Resource Center, and the Continuum of Care. The committee requested that the full council hear presentations from RAV (on a proposed tiny home community for veterans) and the Continuum of Care (on the point-in-time homeless count, which was 383 countywide, preliminary and not yet HUD-certified). Councilmember McNair, committee chair, confirmed the request.
• Key Outcome: Council unanimously gave consensus to add these presentations to a future work session (likely January 2026).

Key Outcomes

• Approved agenda unanimously.
• Unanimously voted to hold a joint city/county meeting in November 2025 to further discuss 9-1-1 PSAP consolidation.
• Received the Downtown MSD Q4 update; discussion on ambassador funding to continue.
• Received the HUD substantial amendments presentation.
• Directed staff to fully enforce Festival Park clear bag policy immediately; accepted the tiered security protocol with ongoing refinement.
• Approved the 2026 meeting calendar for final adoption at the October 13 regular meeting.
• Agreed to schedule presentations from Redeploying American Veterans and the Continuum of Care for a future work session.