Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – December 8, 2025

The Fayetteville City Council held a regular meeting on December 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge, followed by city manager reports, a 30‑minute public forum, consideration of a multi‑item consent agenda, a report from the Fayetteville Redevelopment Commission, and action on an affordable housing land option. New council members (McMillan, Ferguson, Jones) were seated, and several decisions were made, including approval of most consent items, a split vote on policies, and unanimous authorization for a 6.32‑acre affordable housing development.

Consent Calendar

• 8.0A1 – Approved draft meeting minutes for November 13 (Special), November 24 (Discussion of Agenda Items and Regular), and December 1 (Inauguration).
• 8.0A2 – Accepted the Certification of Results from the Cumberland County Board of Elections for the November 4, 2025 municipal election.
• 8.0A3 – (Pulled and split) See Discussion Items below.
• 8.0A4 – Approved conditional rezoning (MR‑5 to MR‑5/CZ) of five parcels on Hillsboro Street (1.58 acres) for veteran housing by Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch.
• 8.0A5 – Approved conditional zoning (LC to LI/CZ) of 13.2 acres at 730 Filter Plant Drive for the Glenville Lake Water Treatment Facility.
• 8.0A6 – Approved straight rezoning (SF‑6 to MR‑5) of 1.4 acres at Gardner and Hulon Streets.
• 8.0A7 – Authorized a $662,356 professional services contract with Timmons Group for construction administration of the Ivy & Lyon Road Storm Drainage and Utility Improvements Project.
• 8.0A8 – Adopted a resolution of support for a North Carolina Rural Economic Development Grant for Benjamin Stout Real Estate Services, Inc.
• 8.0A9 – Amended the History Museum lease with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
• 8.0A10 – Declared four parcels (off Blue Street and Murchison Road) surplus property and authorized the upset bid process.

Public Comments & Testimony

Fifteen speakers signed up; nine spoke. Their positions are summarized below:

• Lizette Rodriguez (Fayetteville Freedom for All) – Urged the council to embrace diverse voices and independent thinking, cautioning against a single “unity” narrative that may silence dissenting perspectives.
• Angela Tatum – Welcomed new council members but demanded transparency and accountability. Highlighted incorrect reporting of the mayor pro tem vote on the city website and called for a public correction. Expressed hope that the Office of Community Safety (OCS) would be allowed to develop fully.
• Bobby Burgess (District 4) – Described Fayetteville as “a city of contradictions” and urged the council to diversify housing (including support for the “Yes in God’s Backyard” movement), stop building gas stations, and create shuttle service to major industrial employers (e.g., Butterball, Smithfield, Goodyear).
• Joseph Schwab – Urged the council to adopt a resolution affirming Fourth Amendment rights, citing concerns about federal law enforcement actions in North Carolina.
• Ashley Evans – Urged the council to adopt a clear policy of non‑cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing it is constitutional and necessary to protect immigrant families from racial profiling and detention.
• Arlene Fields (District 1) – Urged the council to prioritize social intervention programs over punitive measures such as red‑light cameras, ShotSpotter, and youth curfews, which research shows are ineffective. Quoted John Wesley on love as the fulfillment of the law.
• Jose Cardona – Raised concerns about water pollution from the Chemours plant, stating that the city is discharging “forever chemicals” into the river and urged the council to close the plant. Noted that per capita income in Fayetteville (~$30,000) is far lower than in communities downriver (~$150,000).
• Conchon Kamone – Asked the council to reconsider the demolition order on his home at 206 Campbell Street, which he planned to use for a group home. He stated the house is still sound and that he feels discriminated against.

Discussion Items

8.0A3 – City Council Policies Review Committee Recommendation Councilmember Green pulled this item. She moved to approve Policy 155.1 (the portion presented) but added “deed in lieu of foreclosure” as an acquisition option. Councilmember McMillan moved to send Policy 155.6 (city lease policy) to the January 5, 2026 work session for further refinement on transparency and accountability. Both motions passed unanimously. During discussion, McMillan expressed concern that the lease policy lacked details on public notice of available properties and oversight, stating he wanted to avoid nepotism and ensure multi‑channel listings.

Report from Fayetteville Redevelopment Commission (9.01) Chair Derek Scott presented the annual report. Highlights:

• Over 150 affordable housing units delivered.
• 50+ businesses assisted; 67 jobs created; 117 jobs retained.
• $423,000 awarded through the Home Buyer Hero program, exceeding yearly projections in the first quarter (17 home buyers in Q1).
• Microgrants: over $100,000 awarded.
• Collaboration with the Office of Community Safety (OCS) on community safety microgrants.
• Staff is hiring an economic mobility analyst to holistically evaluate workforce development initiatives.

Council members asked about corridor redevelopment, funding for the home buyer program (running out of grant funding but using local dollars), and scoring criteria for microgrants. Councilmember Jones raised concerns that community watch groups may feel pushed aside by youth‑focused programs; staff explained the tiered scoring system.

10.01 – Option to Purchase Agreement for Catalyst 1 Site Economic Development staff requested authorization for the City Manager to sign an option to purchase 6.32 acres (the northern portion of the Catalyst 1 site) with JBS Developers and the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority for an affordable housing community (84 units). An appraisal set fair market value at $545,000, affirmed by a city‑contracted review. Council voted unanimously to authorize.

10.02 – Appointments to Boards and Commissions The Appointments Committee recommended five individuals to fill vacancies on the Board of Appeals, Fayetteville Advisory Committee on Transit, Historic Resources Commission, Linear Park Committee, and Planning Commission. Council unanimously approved the slate.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (except pulled item); all votes unanimous.
• Policy 155.1 approved with the addition of deed in lieu of foreclosure as an acquisition option.
• Policy 155.6 (lease policy) referred to the January 5, 2026 work session for additional transparency measures.
• Received the Redevelopment Commission annual report and acknowledged the work of the commission and staff.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute an option to purchase 6.32 acres of the Catalyst 1 site for affordable housing development with JBS Developers and FMHA.
• Approved board and commission appointments for the five named individuals.