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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - December 14, 2023

City Council — Thursday, December 14, 2023
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, December 14, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:45:01

Original source
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0:43

All right, good evening.

0:45

I'd like to call the December 14th, 2023 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order.

0:50

I'm Mayor P.

0:51

J.

0:51

Connolly, I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting.

0:53

First, I'd like to call on Mayor Pro Tem Daniels for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:59

I'd like to call for Pastor Trev Evans, please.

1:10

Good evening.

1:11

Good evening.

1:12

Join me in prayer.

1:13

Yes, sir.

1:15

Father, we take this moment for your presence.

1:19

Pause and give you thanks.

1:22

Before we ask you for anything.

1:24

Thank you for everything.

1:26

Thank you for your goodness, your mercy, and your grace that you fled our lives.

1:32

Father, we take this moment and ask you, Lord, to uh bless everyone who is here.

1:38

Bless everyone that is a part of this community.

1:42

Father, we pray for this meeting tonight.

1:44

We pray for our mayor, for our council, for everyone who has gathered together tonight to serve this community.

1:51

We ask for your strength, for your wisdom, for your guidance, and your compassion as they deliberate on the items that are set before them.

2:00

Father, we ask that every decision be righteous in your sight for the benefit of all and for your glory.

2:06

In Jesus' name.

2:08

Amen.

2:09

Amen.

2:10

Thank you.

2:10

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:15

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

2:20

Thank you very well for what we say.

2:23

One nation under God.

2:32

Sorry, mysterious.

2:36

Madam Clerk, will you please call a roll?

2:37

Yes, sir.

2:38

Mayor Connolly.

2:39

Here.

2:40

Mayor Sandy Daniels.

2:41

Present.

2:42

Councilmember Forman.

2:43

Clear.

2:44

Councilmember Blackmark.

2:45

Present.

2:46

Councilmember Stelle?

2:47

Present.

2:48

Councilmember Robinson.

2:49

Here.

2:50

Council Member Weller.

2:51

Present.

2:51

Mayor Connolly have a warm.

2:53

All right.

2:53

We'll move on to the approval of tonight's agenda.

2:56

Mr.

2:56

Manager, any recommended changes?

2:58

Yes, Mayor.

2:59

The applicant for agenda item number 16.

3:02

Resolution for a job creation economic development incentive and grant agreement for Project Gen has requested a delay in the item in order to complete the federal and state approval process.

3:13

I therefore request Council pull item number 16 from tonight's agenda.

3:16

And that would be all the changes that I have.

3:18

So moved.

3:19

I move to approve the agenda with the withdrawal of that item.

3:23

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████20%
Zoning And Land Use████████████████16%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Comment███████7%
Economic Development███████7%
Public Art██████6%
Public Works████4%
Code Enforcement████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - December 14, 2023

The Greenville City Council convened on December 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor P.J. Connolly with all six council members present. Items on the agenda included special recognitions, public comments, appointments, consent agenda, public hearings, and new business. The meeting concluded with a closed session.

Special Recognitions

  • Presentation of a $5,000,000 check from the North Carolina General Assembly for the Town Common Bulkhead Project, accepted by Mayor Connolly on behalf of the city. Representatives Tim Reeder and Gloria Stearns Brown presented the check for flood mitigation in downtown Greenville.
  • Recognition of Frankie Smith, a Recreation and Parks Department retiree with over 30 years of service, for his dedication to maintaining city parks and facilities.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • DeWitt Newkirk: Expressed concerns that minority contractors are not winning city projects due to stricter regulations and lack of notification. He asked the city to review the process and ensure equal opportunity.
  • Dr. Yoshi Newman: Supported the new council and city manager, urging a holistic ("360-degree") approach to community decisions that includes socioeconomic and environmental factors.
  • Caleb Farrell: Called on the city to support a ceasefire in Gaza, citing the loss of family members by a fellow student and the need for leadership on human rights.

Appointments

  • Rick Smiley appointed to Boards and Commissions (unanimous).
  • Audit and Investment Committee: Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, Councilmember Willis, and Councilmember Scully appointed (all 6-0).
  • Joint Pay and Benefits Committee and Taxicab Appeal Board appointments postponed to January.
  • Greenville ENC Alliance Board Liaison: Councilmember Willis appointed (6-0).
  • Mid-East Commission: Les Everett (regular member) and Chris Kelly (alternate) appointed (6-0).
  • City Council Committee Assignments: Mayor assigned council members to various boards and commissions, including Housing Authority, Planning and Zoning, and others.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved items 7–12 (drainage easement release, lease agreement with Greenville Industrial-Eppes Alumni Heritage Society, temporary construction easement, consent to sale of Hampton Inn, surplus vehicles and equipment, tax refunds) except Item 10 was pulled for separate discussion and later approved 6-0. Item 10: City consent to sale of Hampton Inn to Opal affiliates, with conditions preserving the city's option rights and requiring continued operation as a Hampton Inn or similar caliber hotel.

Public Hearings

  • Item 13 – Annexation of Camelot Subdivision Lot: A 0.4229-acre lot on Lancelot Drive voluntarily annexed to access city sewer due to septic tank failure. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 14 – Rezone 0.59 acres from RA20 to CG on East Fire Tower Road: Applicant (Bells Fork Partners) seeks to square off a parcel for a self-storage development. Council debated tree preservation and buffer zones but could not impose additional conditions. Approved 5-1 (Councilmember Blackburn voted against).
  • Item 15 – Second Reading of Code Enforcement and Nuisance Ordinances: Revisions to Title 9 and Title 12 to align with state law, update penalties (first violation $100, second $250, third $500), and clarify processes. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 17 – First Public Hearing for 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME Funds: Presented planned activities including housing rehabilitation, down payment assistance, and rental assistance. No vote required.

Discussion Items

  • Public Art Presentation – DownEast Sculpture Exhibition: Holly Garriott (Emerge Gallery) presented five recommended sculptures for city properties (e.g., at Town Common, Greenway). Council will vote at the January 2024 meeting.
  • Amendments to Housing Programs: Approved (6-0) with the following changes:
    • Down Payment Assistance: Maximum award increased from $20,000 to $40,000; city willing to take fourth lien position to allow layering with state subsidies.
    • Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation: Maximum CDBG repair cap increased from $60,000 to $75,000; repayment percentage reduced by 4% to keep monthly payments similar.
    • Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: One-time assistance increased from $1,500 to $2,000 for rent arrears, funded by HOME-ARPA funds.
  • Award of Construction Contract – Dream Park Community Building: Contract awarded to Ferry and Sons for $1,780,000 (ARPA-funded). Renovation of the old fire station includes lobby, office, storage, warming kitchen, and multi-use assembly room. Approved 6-0.
  • Award of Construction Contract – Guy Smith Stadium Improvements: Phase II contract awarded to Barry Building Group for $710,000. Includes additional seating (361 seats), restrooms, concession area, and safety netting. Phase I is underway; Phase II to be completed by May 1, 2024 for Coastal Plain League season. Approved 6-0.
  • Budget Ordinance Amendment #5: Recognized receipts from United Way Chili Cook-Off, Pitt County Soccer Association donation, increased investment and sales tax revenues, reallocated funds for street repairs, and accepted police department donations. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Town Common Bulkhead Project received $5,000,000 in state funding; city will need additional $15,000,000 to complete.
  • Rezoning for self-storage on Fire Tower Road approved 5-1 with conditions on buffer and tree preservation discussed but not enforceable.
  • Housing program amendments approved unanimously, expanding down payment aid to $40,000 and increasing rehabilitation and rental assistance limits.
  • Two construction contracts awarded: Dream Park Community Building ($1.78M) and Guy Smith Stadium improvements ($710,000).
  • Council entered closed session to consult with attorney on litigation and economic development incentives.

City Manager's Report and Council Comments

  • City Manager Michael Cowan thanked staff and wished a Merry Christmas.
  • Council members congratulated each other, expressed holiday wishes, and noted appreciation for staff and community. Councilmember Scully was appointed as liaison to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the December 14th, 2023 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order. I'm Mayor P. J. Connolly, I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Mayor Pro Tem Daniels for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. I'd like to call for Pastor Trev Evans, please. Good evening. Good evening. Join me in prayer. Yes, sir. Father, we take this moment for your presence. Pause and give you thanks. Before we ask you for anything. Thank you for everything. Thank you for your goodness, your mercy, and your grace that you fled our lives. Father, we take this moment and ask you, Lord, to uh bless everyone who is here. Bless everyone that is a part of this community. Father, we pray for this meeting tonight. We pray for our mayor, for our council, for everyone who has gathered together tonight to serve this community. We ask for your strength, for your wisdom, for your guidance, and your compassion as they deliberate on the items that are set before them. Father, we ask that every decision be righteous in your sight for the benefit of all and for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you very well for what we say. One nation under God. Sorry, mysterious. Madam Clerk, will you please call a roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Sandy Daniels. Present. Councilmember Forman. Clear. Councilmember Blackmark. Present. Councilmember Stelle? Present. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Council Member Weller. Present. Mayor Connolly have a warm. All right. We'll move on to the approval of tonight's agenda.

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