OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Special Meeting of Greensboro City Council - December 1, 2025

City Council MeetingsMonday, December 1, 2025
BodyGreensboro, North Carolina
SessionCity Council Meetings
DateMonday, December 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:53:52

Transcript — Verbatim
3:08

Good evening.

3:10

Welcome to the December first, twenty twenty-five special meeting of the Greensboro City Council.

3:16

We are in the Katie Dorset Council Chamber.

3:19

Let the record reflect that all members are in attendance.

5:00

Any council member may withdraw an item from the consent agenda due to a conf I was that's what I was trying to do before.

5:05

Turn this off.

5:07

Of course, it's a great way to have a last meeting.

5:12

All right.

5:17

All right, it is silent.

5:21

All right, tonight's meeting does enclose include closed captioning.

5:27

We will start with our ceremonial and or presentation items.

5:31

Item D1 is a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Jim Melvin.

5:37

Mr.

5:38

Mazzini.

5:41

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

5:43

Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Edwin Samuel Jim Melvin.

5:48

Whereas Edwin Samuel Jim Melvin led the life defined by faith, family, service, and love, passing away peacefully on August 10th at the age of 91, surrounded by his devoted wife of 56 years, Miss Susan Melvin.

6:04

Whereas born on December 24th, 1933 in Greensboro, North Carolina, into a hardworking Greensboro family, Joe was the son of Jim was a son of Joe and Virgil Melvin, who instilled in him the values of faith, perseverance, and community that shaped his life's path.

6:24

Whereas Melvin grew up in the Warner's Hill community in 1956, he graduated from Greensboro Senior High School, now called Grimsley High School, and then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, from which he graduated with a degree in business in 1959.

6:42

Whereas Melvin's commitment to faith was lifelong as a member of his Westmarket Street United Methodist Church, Waite Hall Sunday School, served faithfully and carried forward Melvin's family deep spiritual roots, whereas Melvin dedicated his life to service to the Greensboro JCs, public office, banking, and as president and CEO of the Joseph M.

7:09

Bryan Foundation, working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Greensboro and its surrounding communities.

7:17

Whereas Melvin served as Greensboro's mayor from 1971 to 1981, he was the first Greensboro mayor to be elected into the office by the public in 1973, during which he focused on education and economic development initiatives to foster greater prosperity in North Carolina's third largest city in the Triad region.

7:56

Whereas Mr.

7:57

Melvin's leadership, vision, and love for his hometown transformed Greensboro in countless ways, from revitalizing civic traditions like the Greensboro Holiday Parade to championing educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities that will benefit future generations.

8:17

Whereas Mr.

8:18

Melvin believed in people and measured them not by their circumstance, but by character, mentoring countless individuals, and offering opportunity and second chances to many whose lives he touched.

8:32

Whereas Mr.

8:32

Melvin's devotion to family was unwavering, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who found joy in Super Saturdays, in times spent at Lake Philpot, Smith Mountain Lake and Pauli's Island, and in creating memories that will live forever in the hearts of his family.

8:52

Whereas Mr.

8:52

Melvin's passion for golf, sports, and community connected him to others through shared experience, whether cheering for the UNC Tar Heels, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, or playing a round of golf with his lifelong friends.

9:08

Whereas even in illness, Mr.

9:11

Melvin never lost his drive or optimism, continuing to advocate for projects that strengthened his beloved city, embodying his personal motto, Egg Bar, everything's going to be alright.

9:26

Whereas Mr.

9:27

Melvin's life of faith, leadership, integrity, and generosity leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire all who follow his example.

9:41

And now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Greensboro that the Greensboro City Council honors and celebrates the life of Edwin Samuel Jim Melvin for his extraordinary contributions to his family, church, his community, and the city of Greensboro, and that a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the family of Jim Melvin as a token of gratitude for his civic leadership, public service, and love of community.

10:13

Moved by Mr.

10:14

Matheny, and I will second that.

10:16

Council, please vote.

10:27

And that passes 9 to 0.

11:02

I just want to say I haven't been in these chambers for probably 30 years, and it's wonderful to come back on this occasion and appreciate so much this resolution for Jim.

11:16

We have a lot of memories here, and I know he would be so proud of all of you and what you've done for the city, and I just hope that we will, I know we will keep on moving forward because we're in a good spot, and I look forward to watching these meetings as time goes on.

11:43

Thank you very much.

11:44

Thank you.

11:46

Well, Miss Melvin.

12:08

And how strong you were for 56 years with Jim.

12:15

I kept him, kept him fed, and well, I certainly had a few phone calls from uh Tim, and I heard another voice in the background on occasion.

12:27

That's right.

12:27

And so I know y'all make made one heck of a king.

12:30

Well, it was it was a a good run.

12:34

Well, we thank you and Jim Bow and your family for sharing uh Jim with us and for everything Jim did.

12:41

And I also wanted to thank you all for being so helpful after Jim's death and with the visitation downtown and the traffic and to thank the police chief and Nancy and all of you for making it so easy so accessible for everyone came.

13:04

Thank you.

13:05

Well, and and I want everybody in chambers or that anybody that's watching, uh one of the Jim's favorite things was the holiday parade.

13:14

And he sponsored the big balloons every year.

13:18

And so when he called me about nine or ten years ago and said, Zach, Jim Melvin Hill, I want you to run and manage the holiday parade.

13:26

So I'd like to see everybody at the holiday parade and honor Jim, and we'll have a little tribute.

13:32

Uh, but those balloons will be there.

13:34

Good.

13:35

Uh and Jim and I also shared a birthday.

13:37

Oh, that's right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Community Engagement███████████████████████23%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Safety███████7%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Transportation Safety████4%
Arts And Culture███3%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Special Meeting of Greensboro City Council - December 1, 2025

This special meeting of the Greensboro City Council was held on December 1, 2025, in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber. All nine council members were present. The meeting focused on ceremonial resolutions honoring community leaders, recognitions for outgoing council members, and farewell remarks from members concluding their terms. The consent agenda was passed unanimously, and several resolutions were adopted 9-0.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda (items 1–3) was moved and seconded, and passed 9-0.

Resolutions and Recognitions

  • Resolution Honoring Jim Melvin (D1): A resolution was presented honoring the life and legacy of former Mayor Jim Melvin (1971–1981). It passed 9-0. His wife, Susan Melvin, spoke, thanking the council and noting Jim's love for the holiday parade.
  • Resolution Honoring Tiffany L. Rudd (D2): A resolution honoring the late community leader Tiffany L. Rudd was adopted 9-0. Her family accepted the resolution, expressing gratitude.
  • Resolution Recognizing Councilmember Sharon Melvin Hightower: Mayor Vaughan presented a resolution recognizing Councilmember Hightower's advocacy for minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs), including work on Senate Bill 292 for a Small Business Enterprise program. The resolution passed 9-0. Hightower thanked the council and highlighted the importance of the SBE program.
  • Fire Department Presentation: Chief Robinson and Assistant Chief Cook presented Mayor Vaughan with a leather fire bucket (representing early firefighting) and a speaking trumpet, thanking her for supporting public safety and firefighter benefits.
  • Senator Ted Budd's Letter: Justin Summers, Regional Director for Senator Ted Budd, read a letter congratulating Mayor Vaughan on her 12 years of service and commending her leadership in economic development, public safety, and cultural arts.
  • City Manager and Attorney Gifts: City Manager and City Attorney presented outgoing council members with engraved seals and gifts. Councilwoman Hoffman, Councilwoman Wills, Councilwoman Pinder, Councilman Matheny, and Mayor Vaughan each received a token of appreciation.
  • Mayor's Proclamations: Mayor Vaughan declared special days for each council member on their birthdays (e.g., Dr. Goldie Wells Day on November 8, 2026, etc.), expressing appreciation for their service.

Farewell Remarks

  • Mayor Nancy Vaughan: Reflected on her 12 years as mayor, thanking council, city staff, and the community. She highlighted accomplishments such as economic growth, the Tanger Center, and the Greensboro Aquatic Center, and noted the city's resilience through challenges like the pandemic and civil unrest.
  • Councilmember Goldie Wells: Served 12 years representing District 2. She thanked her family, campaign managers, and the late Tiffany Rudd. She highlighted the resolution of apology for November 3, 1979, and closing the White Street landfill. She expressed confidence in the incoming council.
  • Councilmember Nancy Hoffman: Served 14 years. She credited her accomplishments to collaboration, including bringing the National Folk Festival to Greensboro, legalizing food trucks, and commissioning the "Greensboro Is Our Home" sculpture. She thanked her constituents and staff.
  • Councilmember Zach Matheny: Served 12 years. He thanked his mother, wife, and children. He noted unanimous decisions on major projects like Toyota, the airport, and the Aquatic Center. He emphasized the importance of serving all 300,000 residents.
  • Councilmember Sharon Melvin Hightower: Served 12 years representing District 1. She listed numerous achievements: tornado relief grants, infrastructure projects, transit improvements (first electric buses, microtransit), economic development (Toyota, Boom Supersonic, Jet Zero, core molding technology), MWBE advocacy, minimum wage increases, parks and recreation projects, and the South Area Plan. She also mentioned the Bingham Park remediation issue and her commitment to continue community advocacy.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions (D1, D2, and the recognition of Councilmember Hightower) passed unanimously, 9-0.
  • The consent agenda was adopted 9-0.
  • The council adjourned to the next meeting scheduled for December 2, 2025, at 5:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Welcome to the December first, twenty twenty-five special meeting of the Greensboro City Council. We are in the Katie Dorset Council Chamber. Let the record reflect that all members are in attendance. Any council member may withdraw an item from the consent agenda due to a conf I was that's what I was trying to do before. Turn this off. Of course, it's a great way to have a last meeting. All right. All right, it is silent. All right, tonight's meeting does enclose include closed captioning. We will start with our ceremonial and or presentation items. Item D1 is a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Jim Melvin. Mr. Mazzini. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Resolution honoring the life and legacy of Edwin Samuel Jim Melvin. Whereas Edwin Samuel Jim Melvin led the life defined by faith, family, service, and love, passing away peacefully on August 10th at the age of 91, surrounded by his devoted wife of 56 years, Miss Susan Melvin. Whereas born on December 24th, 1933 in Greensboro, North Carolina, into a hardworking Greensboro family, Joe was the son of Jim was a son of Joe and Virgil Melvin, who instilled in him the values of faith, perseverance, and community that shaped his life's path. Whereas Melvin grew up in the Warner's Hill community in 1956, he graduated from Greensboro Senior High School, now called Grimsley High School, and then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, from which he graduated with a degree in business in 1959. Whereas Melvin's commitment to faith was lifelong as a member of his Westmarket Street United Methodist Church, Waite Hall Sunday School, served faithfully and carried forward Melvin's family deep spiritual roots, whereas Melvin dedicated his life to service to the Greensboro JCs, public office, banking, and as president and CEO of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Greensboro and its surrounding communities. Whereas Melvin served as Greensboro's mayor from 1971 to 1981, he was the first Greensboro mayor to be elected into the office by the public in 1973, during which he focused on education and economic development initiatives to foster greater prosperity in North Carolina's third largest city in the Triad region. Whereas Mr. Melvin's leadership, vision, and love for his hometown transformed Greensboro in countless ways, from revitalizing civic traditions like the Greensboro Holiday Parade to championing educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities that will benefit future generations. Whereas Mr. Melvin believed in people and measured them not by their circumstance, but by character, mentoring countless individuals, and offering opportunity and second chances to many whose lives he touched. Whereas Mr. Melvin's devotion to family was unwavering, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who found joy in Super Saturdays, in times spent at Lake Philpot, Smith Mountain Lake and Pauli's Island, and in creating memories that will live forever in the hearts of his family. Whereas Mr. Melvin's passion for golf, sports, and community connected him to others through shared experience, whether cheering for the UNC Tar Heels, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, or playing a round of golf with his lifelong friends. Whereas even in illness, Mr. Melvin never lost his drive or optimism, continuing to advocate for projects that strengthened his beloved city, embodying his personal motto, Egg Bar, everything's going to be alright. Whereas Mr. Melvin's life of faith, leadership, integrity, and generosity leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire all who follow his example. And now therefore be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Greensboro that the Greensboro City Council honors and celebrates the life of Edwin Samuel Jim Melvin for his extraordinary contributions to his family, church, his community, and the city of Greensboro, and that a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the family of Jim Melvin as a token of gratitude for his civic leadership, public service, and love of community. Moved by Mr. Matheny, and I will second that. Council, please vote. And that passes 9 to 0. I just want to say I haven't been in these chambers for probably 30 years, and it's wonderful to come back on this occasion and appreciate so much this resolution for Jim. We have a lot of memories here, and I know he would be so proud of all of you and what you've done for the city, and I just hope that we will, I know we will keep on moving forward because we're in a good spot, and I look forward to watching these meetings as time goes on. Thank you very much. Thank you. Well, Miss Melvin. And how strong you were for 56 years with Jim. I kept him, kept him fed, and well, I certainly had a few phone calls from uh Tim, and I heard another voice in the background on occasion. That's right. And so I know y'all make made one heck of a king. Well, it was it was a a good run. Well, we thank you and Jim Bow and your family for sharing uh Jim with us and for everything Jim did.

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