Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting – March 23, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council held its regular meeting on March 23, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public hearings on a zoning appeal and three PWC sewer annexation areas, reports from boards and commissions, a quarterly update from the Office of Community Safety, and a debrief of the FY27 strategic planning retreat. Key decisions included denial of a rezoning request, approval of airline use agreements, and direction to hold a special meeting on the strategic plan.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes from March 2 (Work Session), March 9 (Discussion of Agenda Items), and March 9 (Regular).
• Approved ordinances for demolition of uninhabitable structures at 820 Ridge Road (District 3) and rescinded a demolition ordinance for 4714 Ashton Road (District 5).
• Adopted a resolution declaring 1.53 acres on Westcliff Road as surplus property and authorizing the upset bid process and sale.
• Approved a ten-year contract with GFL for operation of the City's Transfer Station at $329,000 per year plus a host fee of $0.85 per ton.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Group III Management for the McArthur Road Sports Field Complex project in the amount of $13,663,000 (this item was pulled for discussion and later sent back to committee).
• Adopted Budget Ordinance Amendment 2026-6 to appropriate funds for the 2025 Municipal Election cost increase.
• Approved Commercial Airline Use Agreements and authorized the City Manager to execute contracts (pulled for discussion, then approved).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 7.0A5 – Donation of Property on Rogers Drive: Councilmember McMillan pulled this item for discussion. Staff stated they had no recommendation because a phase one environmental assessment revealed potential contamination on neighboring properties, and further investigation would cost the city. The property owner offered to donate the entire 2.5-acre parcel rather than grant a 0.05-acre easement needed for a stormwater project. Council voted unanimously to accept the donation of the entire parcel.
• P26-05 – Zoning Appeal at 5210 Arbor Rd: Tim Peppers, representing the applicant Arland Tsobgou, requested rezoning from SF-10 to MR-5 to allow five duplex units. Staff and the Zoning Commission recommended SF-6 instead, citing concerns over scale, character, and lack of a concept plan. Peppers expressed openness to a conditional rezoning. Two residents spoke in opposition at the Zoning Commission meeting, concerned about traffic and compatibility. Council debated; a motion to approve MR-5 failed 8-2, and a subsequent motion to deny MR-5 passed 8-2, allowing the applicant to reapply with a conditional request.
• PWC Phase 5 Annexation Area 29: Wyatt Horr spoke against the assessment model, arguing that the city collects a surplus from PWC transfers that could fund the infrastructure without placing a $5,000 lien on homeowners. He described the fee as a "hostage situation for property titles." Council clarified the transfer comes from PWC's electric fund and noted that only 40% of properties connect, leaving the city to bear most costs. No action was taken; the public hearing was closed.
• PWC Phase 5 Annexation Area 30: Joe Riddle, a longtime resident, expressed support for the sewer expansion, noting that failing septic systems had forced him to move tenants out. He asked about timing and was told construction could begin after bidding and council approval. He also offered expertise from his baseball field construction company to help with the MacArthur Road Sports Complex. No action was taken.
• PWC Phase 5 Annexation Area 31: No speakers signed up; the public hearing was closed.

Discussion Items

• McArthur Road Sports Field Complex (Item 7.0A7): City Manager Hewitt and Parks and Recreation Director Gibson presented the project, a $13.663 million contract with Group III Management (Kinston, NC) for 12 ball fields, parking, and a concession area. The lighting ($2.5–2.8 million) will be procured separately. Staff explained that the lowest bidder was disqualified for lacking a North Carolina license. Councilmembers raised concerns about the contractor's experience with grading and utility work, given the project's focus on drainage and earthwork. Councilmember Hare and others worried about repeating past issues with subcontractors. After debate, Councilmember Hondros motioned to send the item to the April work session for further review, seconded and passed unanimously.
• Commercial Airline Use Agreements (Item 7.0A9): Airport Director Deontay Watson explained the five-year standard renewal agreements with American and Delta, including a covenant not to grant more favorable terms to other carriers. Councilmembers McMillan and Mayor Pro Tem Hare questioned how the city's $400,000 airline incentive fund (with plans to raise to $1 million) could attract new carriers given the equal-terms clause. Watson clarified that incentives are separate from use agreements and can be offered to any carrier meeting performance criteria (e.g., two flights daily, seven days a week). He stated that if a low-cost carrier agreed to a five-year signatory commitment, they would receive the same rates. The item was approved.
• Strategic Planning Retreat Debrief (Item 11.01): Fountainworks consultant Julie Brennan presented the FY27-FY28 strategic priorities: (1) continue comprehensive community safety approach, (2) enhance economic growth opportunities citywide, (3) expand housing and neighborhood revitalization with emphasis on affordable housing, and (4) improve transportation, transit, and connectivity. Councilmember Hare requested that attention to older/historic neighborhoods be explicitly included in the housing priority. Councilmember Hondros took issue with wording that seemed to align council priorities with staff priorities rather than the other way around. The mayor supported sending the item to a special meeting for further refinement to ensure accuracy before it informs budget and CIP decisions. A motion to hold a special meeting passed 9-1.
• Office of Community Safety Quarterly Update (Item 10.01): Director John Jones reported Quarter 2 metrics: 244 homelessness/housing crisis responses, 44 service referrals, 6 conflicts identified (4 interrupted), 130+ youth engaged, 14 community events supported, 11 new cross-system partnerships. He highlighted a mother and children displaced by eviction – OCS coordinated emergency shelter and long-term support. Councilmember Ferguson asked about nonviolence training for youth; Jones said OCS partners with existing programs and is exploring bringing in structured curricula. Councilmember Davis asked about potential new pillars; Jones mentioned victim services as a future focus. The report was received.
• FCEDC Annual Report: Robo Van Gordon presented $1.3 billion in announced investments and 5,000 new jobs under his tenure. He noted the lack of large, infrastructure-ready sites for major employers, and urged coordination between city capital projects (e.g., 911 center) and economic development to extend water/sewer lines to new industrial areas. The report was received.
• Public Arts Commission 2025 Annual Report: Staff liaison Harmon presented the commission's work curating downtown art installations. Councilmember McMillan asked about expanding to other corridors; Harmon noted a recent piece on Murchison Road. Report received.
• Historic Resources Commission 2025 Annual Report: Harmon reported adoption of new historic district standards and noted two vacancies. The report was received.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Appeal Denied (P26-05): Motion to approve MR-5 failed 8-2; motion to deny passed 8-2. The applicant may reapply with a conditional rezoning.
• MacArthur Road Sports Complex: Sent to April 6 work session for additional scrutiny (unanimous).
• Airline Agreements: Approved unanimously after discussion.
• Donation of Rogers Drive Property: Accepted unanimously.
• Strategic Plan Debrief: Motion to hold a special meeting passed 9-1; plan to finalize priority language before budget process.
• Office of Community Safety Update: Received unanimously.
• Administrative Reports: Three items (Senior Technology Literacy Initiative, PSA Campaign for Firearm Safety, Expanding Water and Sewer Assessment Assistance) were referred to a future work session by consensus when one councilmember requested each.