Fayetteville City Council Work Session Summary – November 2, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on Monday, November 2, 2026, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The session covered a range of topics including code enforcement collections, noise ordinance amendments, removal of properties from the Downtown Municipal Service District (MSD), a resident engagement strategy, and updates to city council policies. Council members also introduced items on a catalyst site, a data center moratorium, and after-action reviews for city-funded events. The evening concluded with recognitions and a public forum.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Center Moratorium: Multiple speakers, including Constance Pratt, Rosemary Harris, Angela Tatum, Lorena Murray, Dale Dees, Joshua Schwab, and others, urged the council to adopt a moratorium on data center developments to allow time for comprehensive impact studies and community engagement. They cited concerns about infrastructure capacity, environmental effects, and transparency. A written comment from Eric Harris supported data centers, citing potential private investment and tax base expansion.
• Downtown Safety: Stacey Graybill, a downtown business owner, described ongoing violence and excessive noise at a particular establishment, requesting nuisance abatement action.
• Charitable Giving: Isaac Alfaro raised concerns about unregulated charitable giving downtown potentially enabling illegal activity and called for a joint city-county assessment.
• Neighborhood Development: Deborah Nixon spoke against a proposed connection from a new apartment complex into the Tarlaton Plantation neighborhood, requesting alternative access be considered.
• Other Concerns: Melissa Williams expressed frustration with the lack of response to her ongoing issue. Christopher Cruz asked the city to consider Family Heritage as a supplemental insurance vendor.

Discussion Items

• 6.01 Code Enforcement Collections Framework: Assistant CFO Amanda Mott presented a framework to standardize the collection of code enforcement assessments, totaling approximately $3.9 million (including $2 million in interest/penalties). The framework includes accounting write-offs for aged receivables (without debt forgiveness), a formal administrative appeal process, and limited authority for the City Manager and CFO to waive interest and penalties. Council discussed fairness, notification, and repeat offenders. Motion passed 9-1, moving the framework and resolution to the November 9, 2026 consent agenda.
• 6.02 Amend Noise Ordinance: Police Attorney Aaron Swinney recommended updates to Chapter 17, including a 150-foot quiet buffer around sensitive uses, enforcement based on a plainly audible standard, and new provisions for non-commercial free speech amplified sound. Council adopted specific provisions: a warning requirement before citation (Section 17-17) and a five-minute duration requirement (Section 17-10), both effective January 2027 after a December public forum. Minor editorial changes (Sections 17-7, 17-12, 17-14) and reorganization (Section 17-11) were adopted effective November 23, 2026. New definitions and major revisions were deferred to a future work session.
• 6.03 Parkview MSD Removal: The council considered petitions to remove 49 residential units from the Downtown Municipal Service District. After debate about fairness, precedent, and district services, council voted 6-4 to direct staff to prepare an ordinance for removal, requiring two public hearings and final adoption by fiscal year-end. Opposed: Councilmembers McNair, Ferguson, Davis, and Hondros.
• 6.04 Fay Connect Engagement Strategy: Staff outlined a plan to expand the existing Everbridge system for outward-facing resident notifications at an additional cost of $15,000 per year. The strategy includes voluntary subscriptions, geo-targeting, and ADA-compliant features. Council gave unanimous consensus to proceed with implementation.
• 6.05 Council Policy Changes: Council adopted revisions to Policy 155.4 (naming of city properties) allowing revocation under certain conditions, and Policy 110.1 (filling committee vacancies) giving preference to alternates.
• 6.06 Catalyst Site One: Councilmember Greene modified her request to refer the remaining portion of the catalyst site to staff for a flood zone survey and feasibility study, with a report due by February 2027. Consensus was granted.
• 6.07 Data Center Moratorium: Councilmember McMillan presented a model work plan for a moratorium, including capacity studies and a community benefits framework. No vote was taken; staff was directed to use the feedback in drafting a moratorium ordinance statement of actions.
• 6.08 After-Action Review Policy: Councilmember Ferguson requested a policy requiring after-action reports for city-funded community events within 30 days. Council gave consensus to direct staff to develop the policy.

Key Outcomes

• Code Enforcement Framework: Approved for November 9, 2026 consent agenda (9-1).
• Noise Ordinance: Partial adoption of specific amendments; warning and five-minute requirement to be effective January 2027 after a public forum; minor edits and reorganization effective November 23, 2026; other changes deferred.
• Parkview MSD Removal: Council directed preparation of removal ordinance (6-4).
• Fay Connect: Consensus to continue implementation.
• Policy Changes: Policies 155.4 and 110.1 adopted.
• Catalyst Site One: Referred to staff for survey, report due February 2027.
• Data Center Moratorium: Staff to develop draft ordinance statement of actions.
• After-Action Policy: Staff to develop policy.