The Greensboro City Council met on October 8, 2025, in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber. The meeting included ceremonial resolutions, public comments, and discussions on employee health insurance changes, public safety, and housing. Several council members noted the low voter turnout (under 10%) in the recent primary and encouraged participation in the upcoming November election.
Welcome to the October eighth, 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 this meeting with a moment of silence. Thank you. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Tori, welcome. We know that you'll enjoy it here. It might be a little confusing. We have two Tories. Zoom participants. Zoom participants shall not speak until they are called upon. By state statutes statute, 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. 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 G13, which are a grouping of agenda items that are voted on with one single vote to expedite what is believed to be a routine and non-controversial item. 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 length of tonight's meeting, we will take a short recess around 7 30. Now is the time for our ceremonial and presentation items. Item E1 is a resolution of the City of Greensboro affirming environmental protection and expressing concerns regarding the Transco pipeline expansion. Mrs. Boozerweiter will read it. We do have two speakers who will speak before we vote. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Whereas the proposed Transcoast Southeast Supply Enhancement Project will impact communities in and around Greensboro, and whereas this pipeline expansion project raises a range of concerns for residents, including but not limited to public safety risks, potential impacts on water resources, environmental degradation, increased utility costs, and broader economic risks. And whereas the City of Greensboro recognizes the importance of protecting public health, natural resources, and the community's quality of life. And whereas in December 2022, the City of Greensboro adopted a strategic energy plan with the overall goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. And whereas in 2020, the City of Greensboro received a silver LEED designation from the United States Green Building Council, USGBC, in recognition of its sustainability efforts. LEED, leadership in energy and environmental design, is the world's most widely used green building rating system and promotes strategies to reduce environmental harm, enhance human health, and support economic development. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Greensboro City Council urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, to fully and transparently consider the health, safety, environmental, and quality of life concerns raised by Guilford County residents and other affected stakeholders, require a comprehensive environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act that evaluates all potential risks and alternatives to the proposed pipeline expansion, and ensure that impacted communities are consulted and that their input is meaningfully reflected in any final determinations regarding the project's approval, route, and regulatory conditions, and require the Williams companies to provide immediate notification of emergency events to affected residents and local emergency management agencies. Be it further resolved that the city clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Guilfrey County, and the members of Greensboro's federal legislative delegation adopted this the eighth day of October 2025. I would like to make that motion, Madam A. And we do have two speakers, Margaret Rowlett and Aidan Lawitz. Good evening, Mayor Vaughan and Mayor Pro Tembuza Wader and Council members. My name is Margaret Rallett, and I would like to start thank you. I'd like to start by thanking you so much for your service to the city. Y'all are a great city council. You listen to your constituents, you take the time to meet with your constituents, and we really appreciate that. Hope you'll pass it unanimously. I know this has been a busy time of the year for you, and um you have many pressing concerns. So I really appreciate your taking the time to create this resolution, work through the issues around it, and put this forward. Um, you know, we we appreciate your listening and taking our concerns seriously. You you have an impressive history of support for sustainability, conservation, clean energy, um, and we're glad to see that continuing. Um Mayor Vaughn, Dr. Wells, and Council uh Member Hoffman, we know you didn't put your hats in the ring to continue serving um by running again. Um, but we're we're so happy that um this is the way that you're concluding your support for sustainability with all your efforts here. Um, and it's been very valuable to have your support through the years on this, and to have Mayor Vaughn, your all the experience you've brought over the years around the things you've learned as mayor, and that you were able um to help us work through on this.