OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – February 8, 2024

City Council — Thursday, February 8, 2024
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, February 8, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:53

All right, good evening.

0:54

I'd like to call the February 8th, 2024 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order.

0:59

I'm Mayor P.

0:59

J.

1:00

Connolly.

1:00

I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting.

1:02

First, if you'll join me for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:06

Join me for a moment of silence.

1:19

Thank you.

1:20

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:35

Under God with liberty and justice crawl.

1:44

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

1:46

Yes, sir.

1:46

Mayor Connolly.

1:48

Here.

1:48

Mayor Protend Daniels.

1:49

Present.

1:50

Councilmember Forman.

1:51

Here.

1:52

Councilmember Blackburn.

1:53

Present.

1:53

Councilmember Stulley.

1:55

Here.

1:55

Councilmember Robinson.

1:56

Here.

1:56

Councilmember Willis.

1:58

Here.

2:00

Thank you very much.

2:00

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

2:03

Mr.

2:03

Mayor, any recommended changes?

2:05

No changes tonight.

2:06

Motion to approve.

2:07

Second.

2:08

All right.

2:08

Motion is made by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Mayor Pro Town Daniels.

2:12

All those in favor say aye.

2:14

Aye.

2:15

Motion passes 6-0.

2:16

All right, we'll move on to special recognitions.

2:38

Hey, let me ask uh Carlton, Carlton Smith to come to the front.

3:04

So come on, come up here, Carlton.

3:05

Come on up.

3:06

No, no, you need to come up here and stand beside me now.

3:08

Come on.

3:09

We are here to recognize kind of Carlton Smith on his uh outstanding service to the city of Greenville and to congratulate him on his retirement.

3:18

And I want to to give everybody a little bit of uh backstory on my man Carlton here.

3:23

Let me uh let me got some some stories to tell.

3:29

Oh, yeah.

3:30

So did you know Carlton Smith began his career with the City of Greenville in January of 2004 and has spent the last 20 years working as a crew leader in the sanitation division of the public works department?

3:46

His versatility allowed him to lead crews collecting solid waste, recycling, multifamily complexes, and yard waste.

3:54

His most recent assignment was recycling collection with an automated truck.

3:59

Carlton was a devoted and safety conscious employee who was willing to perform any duties assigned to him.

4:05

Additionally, Carlton was a cordial co-worker and public servant and enjoyed conversing with the public.

4:12

Throughout his career, he received many citizen compliments regarding excellent customer service.

4:18

Carlton has been a very valuable employee for the city, and we are thankful for his 20 years of service.

4:34

And let me just uh say that I had the opportunity to talk with Carlton the other day, and just the kind of guy that Carlton is.

4:42

He uh his his main thing to me was just take care of the employees of the city, Greenville and the employees of public works.

4:48

And I tell you that just speaks a lot of volumes of the kind of person that you are.

4:53

He also told me how many kids and grandkids he had and started to make me nervous.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████19%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Comment██████████████████18%
Zoning And Land Use███████████11%
Youth Programs█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Public Works███3%
Animal Welfare███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – February 8, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on February 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions for two retiring employees, a public comment period dominated by advocates for a multi-sport facility with rectangular fields, appointments to boards and commissions, five public hearings on annexations and rezoning, a city manager's report, and council comments. All agenda items were approved unanimously.

Special Recognitions

  • Carlton Smith, Public Works Department retiree, was recognized for 20 years of service as a crew leader in sanitation.
  • Augustus "Augie" Etheridge, Police Department retiree, was recognized for over 20 years of service at GPD, including roles in the gang unit and FBI task force.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rob McCarthy, president of East Carolina Youth Lacrosse League, advocated for a multi-sport complex with eight turf fields, stating the league has raised over $50,000 for equipment and that a tournament brought $300,000 in economic impact. He noted that lacrosse is the largest youth league in NC.
  • Celey Edwards, president of Pitt County Youth Lacrosse and J.H. Rose girls varsity coach, described capped participation due to limited space and the loss of Bradford Creek parking. She supported a multi-sport complex.
  • Ryan Kudnik, coach and parent, highlighted lacrosse's growth (200% participation increase) and safety benefits, urging planning for future field needs.
  • John Brawley, coach and parent, gave examples of costs for tournaments and camps, and noted that families spend money elsewhere due to lack of local facilities.
  • Pam Evans, parent, presented economic data: a two-day tournament in Mooresville generated $370,000; Wilson spent $40M on parks attracting Mudcats relocation with $300M projected impact.
  • Ashley Hutchinson, teacher and parent, discussed social and cultural benefits: physical activity, academic improvement, college opportunities (14.2% girls, 15% boys move from high school to college lacrosse), and community connection.
  • Maredith (likely Meredith) spoke as "closer," noting that Greenville lacks rectangular fields and urged adding eight fields to the proposed complex.
  • Kyle Peacock, former player and PAL community member, supported a multi-sport complex and noted lack of lacrosse PAL programs.
  • Several youth speakers (Blake Williams, Carson Ivy, Addison Hutchinson, Elizabeth Riley) expressed desire for lacrosse fields to avoid traveling.
  • One speaker from China (Gal G. Zhang?) supported lacrosse as a new sport with economic potential.
  • Brittany Jesmer mentioned high schoolers reffing and missed tournament opportunity.

Appointments

  • Councilmember Foreman nominated Nola Dixon to the Board of Adjustment (approved 6-0).
  • Councilmember Blackburn deferred appointments to Historic Preservation Commission (continued to future meeting).
  • Councilmember Willis appointed Dejan Williams and Thomas Remington to the Human Relations Council (approved 6-0).
  • Councilmember Foreman appointed Eric Ellison to the Police Community Relations Committee (direct appointment, approved).
  • Councilmember Stulley deferred appointment to Multimodal Transportation Commission (continued).
  • Councilmember Willis deferred appointments to Youth Council (continued).

Public Hearings

All public hearings had no public speakers for or against (except for the Rosewood property owner). Each was approved unanimously (6-0).

Ordinance to Annex Langston West, Phase 13, Section 1 (22.3641 acres, terminus of South Bend Road, anticipated 38 single-family lots, estimated tax value $10,450,000) – Approved.

Ordinance to Annex Northside Commercial Center, Lot 4 (1.45 acres, SE corner Marine Dr & NE Greenville Blvd, existing 4,400 sq ft commercial building, estimated tax value $470,000) – Approved.

Ordinance to Annex Northside Commercial Center, Lot 6 (1.74 acres, SW corner Marine Dr & Tupper Dr, existing 5,500 sq ft commercial building, estimated tax value $475,000) – Approved.

Ordinance to Annex Rosewood Subdivision, Block D, Lot 1 (0.3673 acres, SE corner Pine Dr & Greaves Ct, single-family residence with septic failure, estimated tax value under $150,000) – Property owner William Holley spoke requesting annexation to connect to city sewer stub. Approved.

Ordinance to Rezone 0.3673 acres at SE corner Pine Dr & Greaves Ct from RR (Rural-Residential) to R15S (Residential-Single-Family) – Same property as above. Staff recommended approval; Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Jan 16, 2024. Property owner Holley noted flood safety. Approved.

City Manager's Report

  • City Manager Cowan requested cancellation of the February 19, 2024 council meeting due to no action items. Council approved (6-0).
  • City Manager gave shout-outs to sanitation employees Keidred Baker, Maurice Edwards, and Carlos Wooten for successful implementation of trash and recycling route changes affecting over 12,000 residents.

Council Comments

  • Councilmember Foreman had no comments.
  • Councilmember Blackburn encouraged pet adoption for Valentine's Day.
  • Councilmember Willis noted Governor Cooper's visit, tenant-based rental assistance second round (Feb 12-16), youth council applications, early voting start Feb 15, and praised employee shout-outs.
  • Councilmember Stulley reflected on a day serving the city, including Downtown Business Partnership meeting and meeting Governor Cooper, and honored retirees.
  • Councilmember Robinson celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Feb 7) and National Boy Scouts Day (Feb 8), promoted Girl Scout cookies, Jackie Robinson Baseball League sign-up (Sunday at 3pm at Thomas Suman Park), and praised sanitation employees.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Daniels announced Pirate Fest named Event of the Year by NC Association of Festivals and Events, recognized Margot Clark, encouraged Black History Month events, thanked lacrosse group and Recreation and Parks, and wished happy Valentine's Day.
  • Mayor Connelly wished happy Valentine's Day, birthday to his mother and daughter Mary Kate (turning 11 on Feb 15), promoted ECU baseball opening Feb 16 vs Rider, and thanked lacrosse families.

Key Outcomes

  • All motions passed unanimously (6-0) unless noted.
  • Appointments: Nola Dixon (Board of Adjustment), Dejan Williams and Thomas Remington (Human Relations Council), Eric Ellison (Police Community Relations Committee). Other appointments deferred.
  • Five public hearings approved: annexations and rezoning as described.
  • Council meeting of February 19, 2024 canceled.
  • No formal decision on multi-sport facility; public comments heard.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the February 8th, 2024 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order. I'm Mayor P. J. Connolly. I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting. First, if you'll join me for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Join me for a moment of silence. Thank you. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God with liberty and justice crawl. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Protend Daniels. Present. Councilmember Forman. Here. Councilmember Blackburn. Present. Councilmember Stulley. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Mayor, any recommended changes? No changes tonight. Motion to approve. Second. All right. Motion is made by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Mayor Pro Town Daniels. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passes 6-0. All right, we'll move on to special recognitions. Hey, let me ask uh Carlton, Carlton Smith to come to the front. So come on, come up here, Carlton. Come on up. No, no, you need to come up here and stand beside me now. Come on. We are here to recognize kind of Carlton Smith on his uh outstanding service to the city of Greenville and to congratulate him on his retirement. And I want to to give everybody a little bit of uh backstory on my man Carlton here. Let me uh let me got some some stories to tell. Oh, yeah. So did you know Carlton Smith began his career with the City of Greenville in January of 2004 and has spent the last 20 years working as a crew leader in the sanitation division of the public works department?

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