Greensboro City Council Meeting – August 4, 2025: Resolutions, Police Reform, and COPS Grant
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Greensboro City Council Meeting – August 4, 2025
The City Council met on August 4, 2025, at the Katie Dorsett Council Chambers. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jordan Joyner, national Miss Elementary America fifth-grader, followed by ceremonial resolutions honoring former WFMY anchor Sandra Hughes and declaring National Farmers Market Week. Public comments focused heavily on police accountability, including demands to end regulatory stops, implement written consent for searches, and fire Officer B.W. McDaniel after a viral video of a traffic stop. The council also debated and approved a $2.77 million federal COPS grant to hire 15 additional police officers, passed a $1.4 million bond for coliseum seat risers, and approved a five-year, $3.5 million contract with Hexagon for asset management software. Several council members requested a work session to revisit police policies, and the city attorney committed to filing a court petition for release of body-worn camera footage from the disputed stop.
Ceremonial & Presentation Items
- Resolution recognizing Sandra Day Hughes, former WFMY anchor and trailblazing journalist, for her decades of service and numerous awards. Passed 9-0.
- Resolution declaring August 4, 2025, as National Farmers Market Week, honoring the 151-year legacy of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. Passed unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Items G1–G9 were approved on a single vote (9-0). No items were removed for discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael O'Neill (co-executive, GSO Peace Corp) proposed revitalizing a basketball court in Summit Hills (NE Greensboro) to deter crime, dedicating it to Brandon James. Requested city funding and support; will return with a budget.
- Rachel York opposed the proposed Transco pipeline through Guilford County, citing environmental risks and cost burdens on ratepayers. Urged council to pass a resolution of opposition.
- Margaret Rowlett (Clean Power Now Coalition) reported on a meeting with the Office of Sustainability & Resilience (OSR), praised progress on the Strategic Energy Plan (40% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions), but opposed new natural gas pipelines and asked council to oppose them and support OSR’s budget.
- Carrie Thompson (Director, Family Room Foster Care Resource Center) announced a capital campaign to build a permanent facility in Greensboro. Noted service to 416 children this year (25% increase) across 45 counties.
- LaRoya Daly (city worker, UE 150 member) alleged retaliation after meeting with Councilwoman Hightower about workplace issues. Claimed a memo instructed coworkers not to speak with her. Filed a grievance; asked for city support.
- Malik Hugh complained about GTA bus service, claiming discrimination regarding his wagon and inability to lift heavy bags. Also raised a bill from the city for hotel stays (100+ days) during a housing crisis, asking the city manager to investigate.
- Jason Hicks (via Zoom) accused Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) CEO Zach McAvene of violating city conflict-of-interest policy and contract terms, including ineligible expenses (mills, entertainment). Cited over $100,000 in questionable spending. Called on council to issue a notice of default.
- Tony Hayes criticized city enforcement of parking regulations, claiming unfair targeting. Announced plans to move out of Greensboro due to dissatisfaction with city management.
- Rev. Greg Drumwright (Justice for the Next Generation) addressed a traffic stop on May 13, 2025, involving Sabon Johnson and Amon Moore, which was captured on video and viewed 600,000+ times. Called for ending regulatory stops, safety frisks, implementing written consent, and firing Officer B.W. McDaniel. He and others noted that such stops disproportionately affect Black drivers (53% of stops vs. 42% population).
- Gene Blackman noted the two men have been stopped four additional times since May 13, questioning when it becomes harassment.
- Rev. Dennis White urged council to protect Black children like the pledge leader from potential police harm.
- Cece Crawford shared personal experience of being pulled over for expired tags due to a check engine light, illustrating how regulatory stops criminalize poverty.
- Terrell Williams asked “How do we keep each other safe?” and called for ending stop-and-frisk measures and firing officers with patterns of abuse.
- Teron Lilly named numerous individuals killed or injured in police encounters, noting that settlements were paid but internal complaints rejected. Demanded action on the four reform items.
- Lynn McCoy supported community policing and criticized the lack of white council members engaging on the issue. Noted a $2 million federal COPS grant to hire 15 officers; asked that funds also support community policing elements.
- Nadine Malpass (United Way) announced the First Responders Drive (Sept 11–Oct 16) to equip police and fire with items for community members in crisis.
- Christine Hepner (League of Women Voters) presented data: in 2025, 73% of regulatory stops involved Black drivers (up from 60% in 2014). Urged adoption of a public-safety traffic stops policy focusing on hazardous violations, as recommended by a bipartisan NC task force.
- Paulette Montgomery (Three Guilford) reiterated calls to end regulatory stops, safety frisks, implement written consent, and fire Officer McDaniel.
Discussion Items
- COPS Hiring Grant (Item I.1): Ordinance appropriating $2,770,905 in federal funds for 15 new police officers over three years, with the city covering approximately 30% of costs. The grant was originally for 30 officers but reduced due to budget constraints. Council debated the need to pair hiring with community policing. The city manager explained that six existing positions are being frozen to help fund the local match. Passed 8-1 (Councilman Matheny opposed).
- Coliseum Bond (Item I.2): Ordinance to amend the Coliseum Limited Obligation Bond Fund by $1,397,209 for seat risers. Passed 9-0.
- Hexagon Contract (Item I.3): Resolution approving a five-year, $3,536,775.36 contract with Hexagon for the city’s asset and work management system (EAM). Councilwoman Hightower expressed concern about lack of competition and questioned the five-year term. Passed 8-1 (Hightower opposed).
Key Outcomes
- COPS Grant Approved (8-1): 15 officers hired over three years; council will need to budget for ongoing costs after year three.
- Body Camera Footage: The city attorney will petition the court to release footage from the May 13 traffic stop; outcome depends on judge’s decision within 30 days.
- Work Session Requested: Multiple council members asked for a work session to discuss written consent, regulatory stops, safety frisks, community policing, and related policies. City manager will schedule, and GC Jack (community oversight group) will be invited to present.
- Boards & Commissions Appointments:
- Jasmine Quick Miller to Board of Adjustment (replacing Drew Waffle).
- Marcus Miller to ABC Board (unanimously approved, later contested by Mayor Pro Tem as Cassandra Brown’s reappointment was also moved).
- Valerie Vincent to Housing Authority Board (non-resident seat).
- Catherine Rhodes reappointed to Historic Preservation Commission.
- Alina Spaulding to Board of Adjustment.
- Tom Phillips and Robbie Bald reappointed to Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA) (8-1 for Bald, with Hightower opposed).
- Next Steps: City attorney will also investigate the four additional stops of Johnson and Moore; city manager to provide update on mowing contracts and state vs. city roadway responsibilities.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the August Fourth, twenty twenty five meeting of the Greensboro City Council. We are in the Katie Dorset Council chambers. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Jordan Joyner. She is the national Miss Elementary America fifth grade. Um I am going to ask Jordan to please lead us in the pledge. So please stand and put your hand over your heart. I Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which is one nation under God invisible for liberty and justice for all. And how I show that is the student ambassador in my school, Simpkins LMATREE. One time I made an event called The Winter Wonderland, where everybody was having so much fun, and I talked to people about Brave and Anti-Bully, and no one was getting bullied. Imagine a whole school not getting bullied and no one getting mad. And my platform is Jojo's Taker, is where I give out foods and drinks to people in need. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have amazing poise. Thank you, Sandy. Your age, what a wonderful, um, what a wonderful thing you just said, and it's great to learn more about the pageant. How long have you been doing pageants? I've been doing pageant since I was five months old. Okay, so you are a veteran at this point. Yes. Well, we wish you luck as you go further along, and please let us know how you do. Thank you. Thank you. We did, yes. Um, Mr. City Manager, could you please recognize our youth courier? Yes, thank you, Mayor Mayor and Council. Good afternoon. Uh, today's courier is a rising senior Addison Glover. Addison has been an intern with the city manager's office this summer, learning about the different roles of government in the city of Greensboro. Addison attends Piedmont Classical High School and is excited for her final year. She plans to study zoology and psychology and loves working with animals. Her goals are to help people out, help people out whenever help is needed in making life easier for all. It has been a pleasure having Addison in our office, and we look forward to her continued education. Thank you, Addison. Thank you. Please silence any and all electronic devices. If you must make or receive a phone call, kindly do so from outside the council chamber. The City of Greensboro strongly encourages resident input at our meetings. It is the goal of the City Council that the Katie Dorset Council Chamber is a welcoming and safe space for all community members. In order to speak at tonight's meeting, individuals must sign up to speech by 6 p.m. If you signed up to speak online, you must let the courier know that you are in attendance. Speakers may address specific consent or business agenda items with three minutes allocated for their remarks. Speakers cannot relinquish their time to others, and the speaker's order is determined by the providing officer. Depending on the number of speakers, council may adjust the time allocated for each person. Any handouts must be given to the courier for distribution. All speakers are expected to adhere to the rules of decorum. Any inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in immediate removal from the meeting.
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