Greensboro City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Greensboro City Council met on September 1, 2026, at the Katie Dorsett Council Chambers. The meeting began with a closed session to consult with legal counsel on a claim and personnel matters, which passed unanimously. Following the closed session, the council reconvened for ceremonial items, consent agenda items with multiple public speakers, public comments on non-agenda topics, council discussions on public safety and employee benefits, and final action on remaining business items.

Consent Calendar

• F8 (Water/Sewer Bill Adjustment for Northwest Guilford High School): Speaker Stevie Ignyak flagged inconsistencies in the resolution (different account numbers, dollar amounts, and entity references). The city attorney acknowledged the errors and the item was pulled to the next meeting by a unanimous vote.
• F15 (Washington Street Bridge Replacement): Speaker Philip Marsh expressed strong support but criticized poor communication with stakeholders. The city manager committed to improved updates and community engagement. The item passed 9-0.
• F18 (Charter Amendment for Direct Property Negotiations): Speaker George Hartzman opposed the amendment, arguing it reduces transparency and cited past property deals. Councilmember Marshall defended it as a tool for economic development. The item passed 9-0.
• F20 (Sale of Leaf Collection Trucks): Speaker George Hartzman criticized the council's prior elimination of leaf collection and recent tax increases. The item passed 9-0.
• F21 (GSO Peace on Purpose Grant): Speaker Stephen Matthews spoke in favor. The item passed 9-0.
• F26 (Lease with MSH Myers Building): Speaker George Hartzman alleged unreported gifts from the building owner to city officials and staff. The city attorney noted no gift report was found. The item passed 9-0.
• F28 (Fire Station 62 Construction): Speaker George Hartzman opposed due to financial concerns and alleged conflicts of interest. The item passed 9-0.
• F29 (Budget Adjustments): Speaker George Hartzman questioned salary and benefit line items. The item passed 9-0.
• The remaining consent items (F1–F33, minus the above eight) were approved 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Derek Hardy (social worker/musician/business owner): Requested removal of an offensive advertisement at 109 West McGee Street depicting an Asian store clerk and two Black men, referencing the movie "Menace II Society" and the 1992 LA riots. Called it racially offensive.
• Luther Falls Jr. (Financial Network Insurance Group): Commended the police for a swift response to a Sunday incident; promoted his small business network and encouraged voter registration.
• George Hartzman (Public Integrity Watch): Accused the mayor and city manager of accepting gifts from DGI (a city contractor), citing a party and tickets to events. Repeated allegations on multiple consent items.
• Vincent Messina (Vice President, Professional Firefighters of Greensboro): Urged the city to address an $8 million healthcare funding gap through contract audits and employee engagement rather than cutting benefits. Noted firefighters have been asking for transparency for a decade.
• Carol Carter (former land use planner): Opposed Senate Bill 1047, which would limit public input on rezoning and restrict review timelines; asked the city to lobby against it.
• Tyler Goodman (Working Class and Houseless Organizing Alliance): Described widespread anger toward the council, citing failures on ICE, data centers, and police chief hiring. Called for building parallel people's institutions.
• Sandra Smith (Greensboro transit operator): Asked the council to investigate her being banned from work without due process; requested documentation and a fair hearing.
• Philip Marsh (East Washington Street business owner): Demanded better public safety and communication regarding the Washington Street corridor; criticized the closure of the bridge and the IRC's incomplete safety plan.
• Malik Huff (community activist, future mayoral candidate): Called for safer downtown spaces for the homeless, a new shelter, and faster police response; reported being assaulted downtown on July 15.
• Jeremiah Jett (Youth Engagement Director, Community Safety Department): Reported that over 150 youth have been reached through town halls; youth define safety broadly (jobs, recreation, mentorship). Pledged to expand programs.
• Dan Tapp (Working Class and Houseless Organizing Alliance): Criticized the 180-day data center moratorium as insufficient and accused the council of favoring capital over people.
• Lily Sobavaro (community advocate): Accused the council of prioritizing business interests over protecting poor, working-class residents from ICE, police violence, pollution, and rising costs.

Discussion Items

• Public Safety Update (Chief John Absher): Presented the PANDA (Problem Analysis, Needs, Development Assessment) framework to address violent crime through data-driven focus on people, places, and conditions. Reported 19 homicides in 2025 (down from 29 in 2024) but 78 aggravated shootings (up from 62). Identified 84 high-impact individuals; 44 have pending felony charges. Emphasized coordination across bureaus and with prosecutors, and need for community partnership. Plans for the 100th anniversary of A&T homecoming (Oct 25–Nov 1) are underway.
• Council Comments: Multiple councilmembers addressed public safety, youth engagement, the healthcare benefits gap, and recent violence. Councilmember Allen and Marshall will lead community safety discussions. Councilmember Thurm highlighted domestic violence and the Family Justice Center. Councilmember Black reported a successful community meeting on data centers. Mayor Pro Tem Marikar emphasized transparent economic development tools and a sustainable approach to employee healthcare costs.

Key Outcomes

• Closed session matter (ethics complaint involving the mayor) was declared closed by Mayor Pro Tem Marikar.
• Resolution recognizing September as National Deaf Awareness Month passed 9-0.
• Consent item F8 was pulled; all other consent items were approved (most 9-0).
• General business item J1 (workforce development contract increase of $2.18 million) passed 9-0; item J2 was withdrawn.
• Councilmember Black appointed Cheryl Johnson to the Library Commission (unanimously approved).
• The city manager and chief committed to ongoing strategic violence reduction efforts, with weekly command staff meetings.