OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - January 8, 2024

City Council — Monday, January 8, 2024
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, January 8, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
3:42

All right, good evening.

3:43

I'd like to call the January eighth, two thousand twenty-four meeting of Greenville City Council in order.

3:48

I'm Mayor PJ Collin.

3:49

I'll be presiding over the meeting.

3:50

First, I'd like to call on Council Member Foreman for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

4:00

Father, in the name of Jesus, we come to you tonight as humble as we know how.

4:12

So first let us thank you for your presence.

4:14

And then you said seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness in all things.

4:18

Not one, not two, not three, but all things will be added unto you.

4:22

And so Lord, we come to you when we stand in agreement tonight as this council and members of this community to stand and thank you and have your request for guidance as we serve the citizens of our community, and we want to reduce struggle and we want to reduce sovereign suffering, God.

4:41

We want to thank you for your word when you said you will make perfect those things that concern us.

4:46

And so God, we want you to guide us.

4:50

We want to be a reflection of your loving images we serve, and that is what our desire is to be more like you, and to make sure that people know that someone knows someone sees, and someone cares.

5:02

We want to reflect that loving image in your powerful name as humbly as we know how.

5:08

In Jesus' name we pray.

5:09

Amen.

5:10

Amen.

5:11

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:15

I pray to allegiance.

5:17

To the flag of the United States of America.

5:21

And to the Republic for which it stands.

5:37

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

5:40

Yes, sir.

5:41

Mayor Connolly.

5:42

Here.

5:43

Mayor Protend Daniels.

5:44

Present.

5:45

Council Member Foreman.

5:46

Present.

5:47

Councilmember Blackburn.

5:48

Present.

5:49

Councilmember Scully.

5:50

Here.

5:50

Councilmember Robinson.

5:52

Here.

5:52

Councilmember Willis.

5:53

Present.

5:54

All right.

5:54

Mayor Connolly of a quorum.

5:55

Thank you very much.

5:56

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

5:58

Mr.

5:58

Manager.

5:59

No proposed changes.

6:00

All right.

6:01

Do I have a motion to approve the agenda?

6:04

Second.

6:04

Although, okay.

6:05

Excuse me.

6:07

Motion is made by uh Mayor Pro Tem Daniel, second by Councilmember Robinson.

6:11

All those in favor say aye.

6:12

Aye.

6:13

Those opposed say nay.

6:14

Motion passes 6-0.

6:16

Thank you very much.

6:16

We'll move on to the public comment period.

6:18

Public comment period is a period reserved for comments by the public.

6:20

Items that were our scheduled be the subject of a public hearing conducted at this meeting or another meeting during the same week shall not be discussed.

6:25

A total of 30 minutes is allocated with each individual being allowed no more than three minutes.

6:28

Individuals who register with the city clerk to speak will speak in the order registered until the audit allotted 30 minutes expires.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Cryptocurrency Regulation███████████████████████████████████35%
Procedural███████████11%
Zoning And Land Use████████8%
Public Works███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Arts And Culture████4%
Environmental Protection███3%
Economic Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - January 8, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on January 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connelly presided. All seven council members were present. The meeting included a public comment period, approval of consent and new business items, and a detailed discussion on data processing ordinance No. 22-014. All votes were unanimous (6-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Sublease Agreement with State of North Carolina for VIPER tower equipment at 2805 East Second Street – approved 6-0.
  • Resolution accepting dedication of rights-of-way and easements for Arbor Hills South Cluster Subdivision, Section 2, Phases 10 & 11 (Res. 001-24) – approved 6-0.
  • Resolution and Deed of Release for abandonment of a 10-foot wide electrical easement across Tax Parcel No. 73527 (Res. 002-24) – approved 6-0.
  • Ordinance adopting Greenville Utilities Commission's capital project budget for Whitehurst Station Water Main Extension Project (Ord. 24-001) – approved 6-0.
  • Ordinance amending and reimbursement resolution for Greenville Utilities Commission's capital project budget for Wastewater Treatment Plant Clarifier Project (Ord. 24-002, Res. 004-24) – approved 6-0.
  • Resolution declaring Police Canine Suny as surplus and authorizing disposition to Officer Nathan Lather (Res. 003-24) – approved 6-0.
  • Amendment #2 to Existing On-Call Engineering Services Agreement with The East Group – approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jerry McRoy, Greenville resident, expressed opposition to the city planning staff working with a non-city business on a zoning text change, questioning why citizens' concerns were not prioritized.
  • Molly Holdeman, resident of 776 White Horse Drive, opposed cryptocurrency mining, citing Compute North's bankruptcy and urging the council to remove ordinance 22-014. She referenced counties that implemented moratoriums or bans.
  • Kayla Burrows, resident, criticized irresponsible growth (car washes, gas stations) and called on the council to publicly support a ceasefire in Palestine.
  • Dr. Yoshi Neumann, resident, opposed the 2022 data processing ordinance, advocating for a green economy model and urging the council to change direction.
  • Dr. David Ames, representing Sierra Club, opposed cryptocurrency mining due to negative environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Don Pavellini, resident, thanked council members for revisiting the data processing ordinance and referenced former Planning and Zoning Board member Hap Maxwell's changed position.
  • Holly Garriott, Executive Director of Emerge Gallery and Arts Center (Pitt County Arts Council), thanked the city for supporting the First Friday Art Walk and the Emerald Express trolley service, noting record ridership and economic impact.
  • Rev. Bob Hoodak, representing Interfaith Clergy Standing for the Community, opposed the Compute North proposal and called for transparent dialogue, stating that saying no to crypto has brought the community together.

Discussion Items

  • 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Item 8): Transportation Planner Eliud DeJesus explained the federally required 5-year update for the Greenville Urban Area MPO, with a 25-year horizon. The plan must be adopted by July 2024. Councilmember Blackburn highlighted the importance of the plan. The contract was awarded to Kimley-Horn. Approved 6-0.
  • DownEast Sculpture Exhibition (Item 9): Holly Garriott presented the annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. One selected sculpture ("Pluma Sculptura" by Kirk Seese) was lost due to timing; alternate "Reclaimed Tension" by Kevin Vanek was substituted. Installations will begin in February 2024. Approved 6-0.
  • Gateway Sign Construction (Item 10): Assistant Director of Public Works Kevin Hefferan reported that Hudson Brothers Construction Company was the lowest responsible bidder at $261,000 for a new gateway sign on I-587/U.S. 264. The project includes a 150-day completion timeline. Council members expressed interest in additional signs at other city entrances. Approved 6-0.
  • 2024 Rehabilitation and Preservation Project (Item 11): Civil Engineer Lynn Rayner detailed the contract with S.T. Wooten Corporation ($3,702,880.20) for milling, resurfacing, ADA improvements, and pavement preservation on 48.25 lane miles. Also approved Task Order #5 with TranSystems for construction inspection ($273,260). Council highlighted the increase in street funding from $500,000 to over $4 million. Approved 6-0.
  • Investment Advisory Services (Item 12): Financial Services Director Jacob Joyner recommended Valley View Consulting after an RFQ process. The firm will provide comprehensive advisory services for the city's growing investment portfolio. Approved 6-0.
  • Budget Ordinance Amendment #6 (Item 13): Jacob Joyner presented amendments to Capital Projects, Donations, and Special Revenue Grant funds, including recognizing donations, closing out projects, and reallocating funds. No impact on operating funds. Approved 6-0 (Ord. 24-003).
  • Discussion of Ordinance No. 22-014 (Modular Data Processing) (Item 14): Councilmember Blackburn requested discussion, citing harms from cryptocurrency mining and noting that other North Carolina counties have imposed moratoriums or bans. Chief Planner Chantae Gooby explained that the ordinance covers all data processing (including banks, insurance) and sets standards such as 2,500-foot separation from residences. If the ordinance were removed, data processing would fall under "otherwise not listed" and require a Special Use Permit through the Board of Adjustment, losing city council oversight. After debate, Councilmember Blackburn amended her motion to ask staff to prepare a report with options (including potential moratorium or amended standards) to be presented at the March 2024 City Council Workshop. The motion passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All agenda items passed unanimously (6-0).
  • The January 22, 2024 City Council meeting was cancelled due to lack of business (6-0).
  • Staff will provide a report on possible amendments to Ordinance 22-014 at the March 2024 workshop.
  • A planning retreat is scheduled for January 26-27, 2024, to set goals for the new two-year term.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the January eighth, two thousand twenty-four meeting of Greenville City Council in order. I'm Mayor PJ Collin. I'll be presiding over the meeting. First, I'd like to call on Council Member Foreman for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Father, in the name of Jesus, we come to you tonight as humble as we know how. So first let us thank you for your presence. And then you said seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness in all things. Not one, not two, not three, but all things will be added unto you. And so Lord, we come to you when we stand in agreement tonight as this council and members of this community to stand and thank you and have your request for guidance as we serve the citizens of our community, and we want to reduce struggle and we want to reduce sovereign suffering, God. We want to thank you for your word when you said you will make perfect those things that concern us. And so God, we want you to guide us. We want to be a reflection of your loving images we serve, and that is what our desire is to be more like you, and to make sure that people know that someone knows someone sees, and someone cares. We want to reflect that loving image in your powerful name as humbly as we know how. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pray to allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Protend Daniels. Present. Council Member Foreman. Present. Councilmember Blackburn. Present. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Present. All right. Mayor Connolly of a quorum. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager. No proposed changes. All right. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda? Second. Although, okay. Excuse me. Motion is made by uh Mayor Pro Tem Daniel, second by Councilmember Robinson.

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