Greenville City Council Meeting – January 11, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connelly presided. Council members present: Mayor Pro Tem Monica Daniels, Marion Blackburn, Les Robinson, Portia Willis. Council member Matthew Scully was absent. The meeting included public comments, appointments, an update on a property at 902 Ward Street, three public hearings, and the presentation of the annual financial audit. Key actions included approval of several appointments and ordinances, a failed rezoning request, and adoption of the audit findings.

Appointments & Committee Assignments

• Firefighters Relief Fund Committee: Will Franklin and Eric Mullet reappointed (5-0).
• Historic Preservation Commission: Edythe Gianessi and Andrew Morehead reappointed (5-0).
• Human Relations Council: Camilya Jones, Rebecca Houston, John Porter-Acee appointed (5-0).
• Youth Council: Jack Chen appointed (5-0).
• Council committee appointments: Council Member Portia Willis and Marion Blackburn to the Joint Pay & Benefits Committee; Mayor Pro Tem Monica Daniels to the Taxicab Appeal Board (5-0 each).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pam Strickland, founder of NC Stop Human Trafficking, spoke about January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month. She noted that North Carolina is in the top 15 states for human trafficking prevalence, with 83% of reported cases involving females and 25% involving minors. She encouraged council and staff to support the Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking and attend a January 31 webinar.

Discussion Items

1. Update on 902 Ward Street (Tax Parcel #06722)

Code enforcement staff provided a six-month update on the rehab agreement for this fire-damaged property. The owner, Mr. Wilson, has made limited progress; some work does not meet code and will need to be redone. Staff cited failure to request required inspections, covering work before inspection, and no inspections passed. The estimated repair cost is $157,000. Council expressed sympathy for the owner’s efforts but noted the lack of substantial progress. After discussion, the council agreed to honor the one-year extension (through June 2024) and encouraged community assistance to help the owner obtain professional help.

2. Public Hearing: Rezoning Request by RaceTrac, Inc. (3.405 acres at N. Memorial Dr. and Independence Blvd.)

The applicant sought to rezone from RA20 (Residential-Agricultural) to CG (General Commercial) for a proposed convenience store with fuel sales. Staff recommended approval; the Planning & Zoning Commission had voted 7-0 for approval.

• Speakers in favor: William McKinney (attorney) and Samantha Jones (RaceTrac regional representative) described an $8–10 million investment, 10–15 jobs, and franchisee-controlled food offerings (including potential fresh produce).
• Speakers in opposition: Carlos White raised safety concerns for children accessing the store; Karen Zip (Greenville Environmental Advisory Commission) presented maps showing that existing gas stations are disproportionately located in minority communities; Saeen Jasmine (North of the River Association) asked for more time for community input, noting only 9–10 people attended the neighborhood meeting and that there are already 11 gas stations north of the river.
• Council discussion: Council members Foreman and Blackburn cited concerns about environmental justice, character of the area, and the type of commercial use (convenience store vs. healthier options). Council members Robinson and Connelly supported the rezoning as a step toward developing the north side of the river. The motion to approve failed 2–3 (Council Members Blackburn, Foreman, and Willis dissenting; Connelly and Robinson in favor).

3. Public Hearing: Subdivision Ordinance Amendment (Plat Review)

Staff proposed requiring city review of plats that combine, recombine, or alter lot lines (even when no new lots are created) to prevent unintended zoning violations. The service is free with a 24-hour turnaround. No public comments were offered. Unanimously approved (5-0).

4. Public Hearing: Demolition Ordinance for 1112 Dickinson Avenue (Historic Landmark)

The property is a local historic landmark; the estimated repair cost is over $300,000 (exceeding 50% of building value). The property is heir property, and the dwelling has deteriorated significantly. Code enforcement reported that vagrants have entered and set fires, making it unsafe. Carlos White spoke in favor of saving the house, citing its history as a re-entry program site. Council discussion: Council Member Blackburn moved to deny the ordinance to allow community discussions, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Council Member Willis then moved to proceed with demolition through the Historic Preservation Commission process. The motion passed 4–1 (Council Member Blackburn dissenting).

5. Financial Audit Results for FYE June 30, 2023 & Fund Balance Review

Chief Financial Officer Jacob Joyner and auditor April Adams (Cherry Bekaert) presented the audit. The city received an unmodified (clean) opinion for the fourth consecutive year. No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were reported. The audit was submitted one month late due to staff turnover, but no compliance findings were noted. Revenues exceeded expenditures by $6.7 million; sales tax increased 8.3% and investment earnings rose. Unassigned fund balance was $21 million, with an available fund balance of $26.3 million (26.82% of expenditures, above the LGC target of 25%). Council accepted the audit results unanimously (5-0).

Consent Calendar

(Routine and unanimous actions without public hearing or substantive debate)

• Approval of agenda as amended (Item 5 continued to February 8).
• Appointments to boards and commissions (all 5-0).
• Subdivision ordinance amendment (Item 6) – approved 5-0.
• Acceptance of financial audit and fund balance report (Item 8) – approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda amendment: Item 5 (MUI district density amendment) continued to February 8, 2024.
• 902 Ward Street: Council will allow the owner to continue under the existing agreement through June 2024; community resources may be sought to assist.
• RaceTrac rezoning: Motion to approve failed (2–3). The property remains zoned RA20.
• Subdivision ordinance amendment: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• 1112 Dickinson Avenue demolition: Ordinance approved (4–1); owner must file for certificate of appropriateness within 30 days; demolition to occur within 30 days after approval.
• Financial audit: Accepted unanimously (5-0). City staff will submit audit to the Local Government Commission and the GFOA for certification.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified].