OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greensboro City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

City Council MeetingsTuesday, August 19, 2025
BodyGreensboro, North Carolina
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:54:10

Transcript — Verbatim
2:35

Good evening.

2:38

Good evening and welcome to the August nineteenth, twenty twenty five meeting of the Greensboro City Council.

2:45

We are in the Katie Dorset Council Chamber.

2:48

Let the record reflect that all council members are in attendance.

2:53

We will begin tonight's meeting with a moment of silence.

3:05

And also we lost another great advocate in Maggie Jeffers.

3:11

She passed away about a week ago.

3:17

Um in a in a better fashion than we are right this minute.

3:22

She um she served the cities of Greensboro and High Point for many years, I think twelve years at the legislature.

3:29

She was an educator for thirty years, and she won Educator of the Year for the state of North Carolina.

3:36

So we have we really have lost two great states people over the last ten days, and I hope that we'll keep their families and friends in our thoughts.

4:32

If you must make or receive a phone call, kindly do so outside the chambers in the lobby.

5:00

If you signed up to speak online, please let the courier know that you are in attendance.

5:07

Speakers may address specific consent or business agenda items with up to three minutes allocated for their remarks.

5:15

For zoning matters, there is a 15-minute presentation, both for and above and against the development, and a five-minute rebuttal period for each side.

5:26

Speakers cannot relinquish their time to others, and the speaker order is determined by the presiding officer.

5:34

Depending on the number of speakers, council may adjust the time allotted for each person.

5:40

Handouts must be given to the courier for distribution to council.

5:45

All speakers are expected to adhere to the rules of decorum.

5:49

Any inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in immediate removal from the meeting.

5:55

Removal result will result in a three-month suspension from in-person participation.

6:01

A second violation following the initial suspension will result in a six-month suspension.

6:07

A third violation or any instance involving physical altercations will lead to a 12-month suspension and may also result in criminal charges.

6:29

Zoom participants shall not speak until until they are called upon.

6:35

By statute, all members must vote on all items unless there is a direct financial interest, or if they serve on a board of a nonprofit receiving funding from the city on an item on tonight's agenda.

6:49

All votes will be moved and seconded, and the presiding officer will announce the vote total.

6:55

We do have a consent agenda for items G1 through G34, which are a grouping of agenda items that are voted on with one single vote to expedite what is believed to be routine and non-controversial items.

7:09

Any council member may withdraw an item from the consent agenda due to a conflict of interest or for the purpose of voting no.

7:18

Items removed from the consent agenda for discussion will be placed on the next business meeting agenda.

7:26

This meeting does include closed captioning.

7:29

Depending on the overall length of tonight's meeting, we may take a short recess around 7.30.

8:00

And all of 3751 McConnell Road, 35.68 acres, Mary Bell Tuttle, and others, and item H2, a public hearing for an ordinance for original rezoning for portions of 3725 and 3739 and 3751 McConnell Road, Amanda Hodiearn for Mary Bell Tuttle, Neil C.

8:25

Tuttle, and others, and item H3, which is a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for a portion of the McConnell Road right-of-way for the City of Greensboro.

8:36

Do we have a motion?

8:37

Motion to um postpone H1, H2, and H3.

8:43

Second.

8:44

Without further advertising.

8:46

Seconded by Mrs.

8:47

Hightower.

8:48

All in favor say aye.

8:49

Aye.

8:50

Opposed?

8:51

That passes 9 to 0.

8:53

We have no presentation ceremonial or presentation items this evening.

8:58

We will move to our consent agenda.

9:00

We do have a speaker who would like to speak on a number of these items.

9:06

G 17, G20, G33, and G 34.

9:12

Hold on.

9:14

Sharon, did you have one?

9:16

No.

9:16

I'm trying to write them now.

9:18

32.

9:20

17, 20, 33, and 34.

9:24

33 and 34.

9:28

Do I have a motion for the minus those four items?

9:34

Yes.

9:35

Um I'm sorry.

9:37

Wait a minute.

9:38

There is one.

9:39

That's the one we were talking about.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning██████████████████████████████████34%
Transportation Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Equipment Services████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Greensboro City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

The Greensboro City Council met on August 19, 2025, in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber to address a consent agenda, public hearings on rezoning and annexation, and several general business items. The meeting included multiple public comments, discussions on traffic safety and community engagement, and votes on key contracts and developments.

Consent Calendar

  • Items G1 through G34 were grouped as routine. Items G5, G6, G7, G8 were pulled for discussion and later moved to the September 2 meeting (vote 8-1). Items G17, G20, G33, G34 were pulled after public comment but each passed 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George Hartzman spoke on G17 (NCDOT planning grant), G20 (Greenway project), G33 (budget adjustments), and G34 (budget adjustments). He alleged conflicts of interest by Councilmember Matheny (DGI CEO) and Mayor Vaughn, requesting recusals. The city attorney stated no conflict existed.
  • Mike Fox (attorney for Landport Investments) presented H4-6 (annexation and industrial zoning on Knox/Marley). He emphasized traffic studies showing 75 trucks/day, not 400 as claimed by opponents.
  • Mark Wilson (attorney, Marley Drive resident) and Colleen Faircloth (RN) opposed H4-6, citing danger at the Knox Road/Mount Hope Church Road intersection due to truck congestion and lack of four lanes. They requested denial or limitation of trucks.
  • Ray Adams and Deborah Johnson (Covington Place residents) opposed H7 (multifamily rezoning at 3707 McCuston Rd), arguing 48 apartment units were out of place in a single-family neighborhood and would increase traffic.
  • James Way (Burlington Road resident) opposed H12-14 (commercial rezoning), listing permitted uses (e.g., sexually oriented businesses) and lacking community engagement.
  • Jason Hicks (via Zoom) opposed I2 (vehicle donation to Black Mountain), arguing city vehicles should stay for local nonprofits.
  • Brian Cicerelli (via Zoom) opposed I1 (red light cameras), claiming the system is based on flawed timing and not legally sound. City staff refuted his claims.

Discussion Items

  • H4, H5, H6 – Annexation and zoning for 35.68 acres on McConnell Road (postponed from earlier) and industrial development on Knox/Marley. Approved with conditions.
  • H7 – Rezoning from R3 to CDRM18 at 3707 McCuston Rd for 48 multifamily units. The applicant (Tom Terrell) added conditions (buffer, height limit, brick/stone facades) after community concerns. Approved after discussion (vote not specified, but passed).
  • H10, H11 – Annexation and zoning for Duke Energy substation on Edgefield Road. Unanimously approved.
  • H12, H13, H14 – Annexation and commercial zoning on Burlington Road. Continued to September 16 to allow more community dialogue.
  • I1 & I11 – Red light camera contract with Nova Global ($1.65M) and ordinance amendment. Approved 9-0 after staff explained no legal issues.
  • I2 – Donation of two surplus vehicles (value $9,100) to Town of Black Mountain (Hurricane Helene relief). Passed 7-2 (Councilmember Hightower and Holston opposed citing lack of transparency).
  • I3 through I9 – Various contracts and budget amendments approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items G17, G20, G33, G34 passed 9-0.
  • Items H4-6 (industrial zoning) approved as presented.
  • Item H7 (multifamily rezoning) approved with conditions.
  • Items H12-14 continued without further advertising to September 16 for additional community engagement.
  • Red light camera program (I1 & I11) approved 9-0, with implementation in approximately six months starting with five intersections.
  • Vehicle donation to Black Mountain approved 7-2.
  • October 7 meeting rescheduled to October 8; election day meeting moved from November 4 to November 5.
  • Meeting adjourned after approximately four hours.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Good evening and welcome to the August nineteenth, twenty twenty five meeting of the Greensboro City Council. We are in the Katie Dorset Council Chamber. Let the record reflect that all council members are in attendance. We will begin tonight's meeting with a moment of silence. And also we lost another great advocate in Maggie Jeffers. She passed away about a week ago. Um in a in a better fashion than we are right this minute. She um she served the cities of Greensboro and High Point for many years, I think twelve years at the legislature. She was an educator for thirty years, and she won Educator of the Year for the state of North Carolina. So we have we really have lost two great states people over the last ten days, and I hope that we'll keep their families and friends in our thoughts. If you must make or receive a phone call, kindly do so outside the chambers in the lobby. If you signed up to speak online, please let the courier know that you are in attendance. Speakers may address specific consent or business agenda items with up to three minutes allocated for their remarks. For zoning matters, there is a 15-minute presentation, both for and above and against the development, and a five-minute rebuttal period for each side. Speakers cannot relinquish their time to others, and the speaker order is determined by the presiding officer. Depending on the number of speakers, council may adjust the time allotted for each person. Handouts must be given to the courier for distribution to council. All speakers are expected to adhere to the rules of decorum. Any inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in immediate removal from the meeting. Removal result will result in a three-month suspension from in-person participation. A second violation following the initial suspension will result in a six-month suspension. A third violation or any instance involving physical altercations will lead to a 12-month suspension and may also result in criminal charges. Zoom participants shall not speak until until they are called upon. By statute, all members must vote on all items unless there is a direct financial interest, or if they serve on a board of a nonprofit receiving funding from the city on an item on tonight's agenda. All votes will be moved and seconded, and the presiding officer will announce the vote total. We do have a consent agenda for items G1 through G34, which are a grouping of agenda items that are voted on with one single vote to expedite what is believed to be routine and non-controversial items. Any council member may withdraw an item from the consent agenda due to a conflict of interest or for the purpose of voting no. Items removed from the consent agenda for discussion will be placed on the next business meeting agenda. This meeting does include closed captioning. Depending on the overall length of tonight's meeting, we may take a short recess around 7.30. And all of 3751 McConnell Road, 35.68 acres, Mary Bell Tuttle, and others, and item H2, a public hearing for an ordinance for original rezoning for portions of 3725 and 3739 and 3751 McConnell Road, Amanda Hodiearn for Mary Bell Tuttle, Neil C. Tuttle, and others, and item H3, which is a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for a portion of the McConnell Road right-of-way for the City of Greensboro. Do we have a motion? Motion to um postpone H1, H2, and H3. Second. Without further advertising. Seconded by Mrs. Hightower. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? That passes 9 to 0. We have no presentation ceremonial or presentation items this evening. We will move to our consent agenda. We do have a speaker who would like to speak on a number of these items. G 17, G20, G33, and G 34. Hold on. Sharon, did you have one? No.

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