City Council Regular Meeting – February 23, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber for a regular meeting that ran past 10:00 PM. The agenda included recognitions, consent agenda items, reports from boards and commissions, staff reports, two public hearings, and other business items. Council voted to approve a rezoning for 2211 Rosehill Road, adopted text amendments to the sign ordinance, denied a proposed policy for residents to request “No Parking” in multi-use lanes, and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to sign documents for the Murchison Choice Neighborhoods 2025 grant application.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from four prior meetings (February 4, 6, 9, 9, 2026).
• Approved rezone P26-01 (600 Hope Mills Rd) from Office and Institutional (OI) to Limited Commercial (LC).
• Approved rezone P26-02 (0 Mount Rainer Rd and 0 Rock Creek Ln) amending MR-5/CZ conditions to allow up to 200 residential units.
• Approved rescission of demolition ordinances for 820 Zadock Drive and 2005 Murchison Road.
• Approved demolition ordinances for structures at 355 Dick Street, 357 Dick Street, 501 Jennings Farm Road, and 4070 Rosehill Road.
• Adopted resolution appointing Deputy Tax Collectors.
• Adopted resolution to accept 2025 unpaid taxes report and direct advertisement of tax liens.
• Approved FY2026 Audit Contract and annual communications from independent auditors.
• Approved GMP #1 for Fire Station No. 16 (Cedar Creek Road and Fields Road) with Barr&Barr/HORUS Construction (pulled for discussion, then passed).
• Approved PWC bid recommendation for Annual Contract for Overhead Distribution to River City Construction, LLC ($6,641,481.51).

Public Comments & Testimony

Rezoning Public Hearing: P25-30 (2211 Rosehill Road) – The applicant, represented by Jonathan Charleston, spoke in favor of rezoning from SF-6 to MR-5 to allow five apartment buildings on five acres, leaving 17 acres undisturbed. He argued the project addresses housing demand and is consistent with the Future Land Use Plan. Seven residents spoke in opposition, citing concerns about increased speeding and traffic on Rose Hill Road, potential flooding from the creek, destruction of natural buffers, and the possibility that the remaining 17 acres could be developed later. Residents also noted the Zoning Commission had previously denied the request on safety grounds.

Sign Code Text Amendment – No public speakers.

Policy for “No Parking” in Multi-Use Lanes – No public speakers.

Discussion Items

1. Fire Station No. 16 – GMP #1 (Item A9 pulled from consent): Councilmember Green requested open discussion of capital project oversight. Representatives from Barr&Barr and the Cummings Group explained the construction manager-at-risk model and the role of third-party oversight. Council heard that GMP #1 covers pre-construction and subcontractor prequalification. A capital projects committee with council members will provide regular updates. The contract was unanimously approved.
2. Airport Commission Annual Report: Commissioner Liza Hondros presented operational updates (over 340,000 passengers in 2025, a slight dip due to federal shutdown). Reported progress on parking/LED upgrades, master plan, land acquisition near Watson Lake, and active airline recruitment. The city’s $400,000 allocation for airline recruitment is being supplemented by matching dollars from the Tourism Development Authority and Business Alliance. Council received the report unanimously.
3. Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department & Commission Annual Report: Director Shamil presented mission, enforcement powers (Fair Housing only), and initiatives including Denim Day, Dining & Dialogue, and the Community Recognition Awards Luncheon (raising funds for scholarships). The council accepted the report.
4. Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) Report: Interim Vice Chair Treasure Hefney and board member Dr. Gregory Perkins reported on survey partnerships (Fitness Connection, Freedom Sports Plex), challenges with board attendance, and recent progress with quorum. Dr. Perkins shared a personal account of Chief Bryant’s compassionate leadership during a 2025 incident. Council accepted the report with an amendment to bring the board’s summary and objectives to the Policy Committee for review of bylaws and structure.
5. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit Results (moved to 8.04): CFO Tiffany Murray and auditor Robert Bittner presented a clean (unmodified) audit opinion for FY2025, noting two material weaknesses in internal control (year-end journal entry classification and Oracle system presentation, both with corrective action plans). No instances of noncompliance with federal/state grants. The audit was on time per LGC rules. Council accepted the report unanimously.
6. Debt Management and Market Conditions Update (moved to 8.05): Financial advisor David Cheatwood reported that the city will issue $40 million in G.O. bonds (first tranche of $97 million approved by voters in 2022) in three weeks, estimated at a 3.6% interest rate. Repayment will come from 1.6 cents of the tax rate and motor vehicle license fees, with no tax rate increase. The city maintained second-highest credit ratings (Moody’s Aa1, S&P AA+). Council accepted the report.
7. MLK Memorial Park Update: Parks Director Michael Gibson reported that the MLK Committee has submitted permits. The spire will be placed at the corner of Washington Drive and Blue Street. Once permits are issued, the city will bid the project. Council received the report.
8. Fire Department 2025 Annual Report: Chief Kevin Dove reported 29,617 calls for service, 64% medical; total response time averaged 7:33 (within 8-minute goal). Fire inspections doubled; community risk reduction engaged 30,955 people. The department is filling vacancies (63 on eligibility list). Council received the report.
9. Police Department 2025 4th Quarter Review: Chief Bryant presented crime statistics: total crime down 7.2%; violent crime up 16.6%; homicides solved at 89% (above national 61%); juvenile contacts up 62%; motor vehicle thefts down 12% after a task force; speed enforcement increased. Vacancies reduced to 23. Council received the report.
10. UDO Signage Text Amendment: Senior Planner Scott Walters presented ten clarifications and adjustments to sign regulations, including removing temporary sign registration, modifying building-mounted sign limits (Council chose Option 3: 3–5 signs per building, sized by 1 sq ft per linear ft or 10% of wall area), and adding allowances for non-residential and governmental uses in residential districts. Council voted to approve the amendments as modified by Option 3.
11. Policy for Residents to Request “No Parking” in Multi-Use Lanes: Council debated concerns about property owner rights versus renter authority, potential impact on property values, and lack of budget clarity. After a failed motion to send back to policy, Council voted 8–1 to deny the proposed policy, leaving the current “multi-use lane” designation (allowing parking, walking, biking) unchanged.
12. Murchison Choice Neighborhoods 2025 Grant Application: Director Chris Cauley presented an update on the application (due March 9, 2026) for a $26 million grant with $130 million in leveraged funds. Changes from the previous application include 323 mixed-income rental units and 35 homeownership units. Council authorized the Mayor to sign the leverage letter and the City Manager to sign the partnership agreement.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (all items except A9, which was pulled and then approved).
• Fire Station No. 16 GMP #1 approved unanimously (motion by Councilmember Green, second by Councilmember Hare).
• Airport Commission Report received unanimously (motion by Councilmember McNair, second by Councilmember Davis).
• Human Relations Report received unanimously (motion by Councilmember Davis, second by Councilmember Hare).
• CPAB Report received unanimously (motion by Councilmember Hare, second by Councilmember Green), with an amendment to bring summary and objectives to the Policy Committee.
• FY2025 Audit Report accepted unanimously (motion by Councilmember Hare, second by Councilmember Jones).
• Debt Management Report accepted unanimously (motion by Councilmember Hare, second by Mayor Pro Tem Thompson).
• MLK Park Update received (motion by Councilmember Hare, second by Councilmember Davis).
• Fire Department Annual Report received (motion by Councilmember Davis, second by Councilmember Ferguson).
• Police Department 4th Quarter Review received (motion by Councilmember Green, second by Councilmember Davis).
• P25-30 Rezoning (2211 Rosehill Rd) approved (motion by Councilmember Hondros, second by Councilmember Green; vote: 7 in favor, 3 opposed: Councilmembers Hare, McMillan, Jones).
• UDO Sign Text Amendment approved with Option 3 (motion by Councilmember Hare, second by Councilmember Hondros; subject to city attorney formatting; vote not tallied but apparent majority).
• Policy for “No Parking” in Multi-Use Lanes denied 8–1 (motion by Councilmember Davis, second by Councilmember Hare; Mayor opposed).
• Murchison Choice Neighborhoods Grant Documents authorized (motion by Councilmember Hare, second by Councilmember Jones).
• Administrative Report on FSU Catalyst Site 1 (Item 12.01) referred to a future work session.