OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting – March 11, 2024

City Council — Monday, March 11, 2024
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, March 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:39

Good evening.

0:40

I'd like to call the March 11, 2023 meeting of the Greenville City Council to Order.

0:44

I'm Mayor P.

0:45

J.

0:45

Connolly for presiding over tonight's meeting.

0:47

First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Matt Scully for the invitation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:53

Thank you, Mayor.

0:54

I'd like to start with a prayer from uh my faith, which is in the Episcopal Church.

0:59

Um, this is a prayer from our prayer book for local governments.

1:02

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, send down upon those who hold office in this city of Greenville the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people.

1:22

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1:24

Amen.

1:25

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:39

One nation, another God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:54

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

1:57

Yes, sir.

1:57

Mayor Connolly.

1:59

Here.

1:59

Mayor Pro Tem Daniels.

2:00

Present.

2:01

Councilmember Foreman.

2:02

Here.

2:02

Councilmember Blackburn.

2:04

Present.

2:04

Councilmember Scully?

2:06

Here.

2:06

Councilmember Robinson?

2:08

Here.

2:08

Councilmember Willis.

2:09

Present.

2:10

Mayor Connolly, you have a quarter.

2:11

Thank you very much.

2:11

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

2:14

Mr.

2:14

Mandager, any recommended changes?

2:16

No recommended changes, Mayor.

2:17

All right.

2:18

Do you have a motion to approve?

2:19

So moved.

2:20

Second.

2:20

All right.

2:21

Motion's been made by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels.

2:24

All those in favor say aye.

2:25

Aye.

2:26

Opposed saying nay.

2:27

Motion passes six zero.

2:29

Thank you very much.

2:29

We'll move on to special recognitions.

2:47

I'd like to ask Chris Cox to come forward.

3:08

Tonight we are have the pleasure of recognizing Chris Cox.

3:14

Chris Cox is a project manager one in the Capital Division of the Engineering Department.

3:20

Chris manages multiple projects related to our street and stormwater systems.

3:25

He is always looking for opportunity to expand his knowledge and grow professionally.

3:30

As such, he has successfully completed the advanced education program requirement for becoming a North Carolina Master Road Scholar.

3:38

A Master Road Scholar program is an advanced professional development opportunity offered by the North Carolina Local Technical Assistance Program at the Institute for Transportation and Research and Education.

3:50

The purpose of the program is to recognize local government personnel who have significantly increased their knowledge of road maintenance procedures and improved their technical and managerial skills by successfully completing 21 of the Road Scholar courses offered through the center and submitting a case study of a transportation project in Greenville.

4:09

Chris has earned this professional distinction for himself and for the city of Greenville.

4:14

Chris, your achievements speak volumes about your unwavering integrity, commitment, and dedication to this community.

4:20

It hasn't gone on gone unnoticed, and we want to uh thank you for acquiring such a high level of expertise.

4:27

And I will say that over the last several years, last eight or years or so, the city has made significant strides in what we have done for our local streets.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Waste Management███████████████████19%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Procedural███████████████15%
Transportation Safety█████████████13%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Public Comment██████6%
Budget██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting – March 11, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on March 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connolly presided. The meeting included special recognitions, a public comment period with no speakers, a consent agenda (with two items removed for discussion), presentations from the Multimodal Transportation Commission and staff, and key business items including an ordinance on unauthorized dumpster use, a memorandum of agreement for the Town Common Bulkhead project, and a budget amendment.

Special Recognitions

  • Chris Cox, Engineering Department, was recognized as a North Carolina Master Road Scholar for completing 21 courses and submitting a case study.
  • Financial Services Purchasing Division received the 2023 Sustained Professional Purchasing Award, marking the 16th year the division has received this award. The City was one of 16 agencies statewide to receive it.
  • PirateFest was named 2024 Festival of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events. The April 2023 event featured a free concert by Maddie and Tay and showcased Eastern NC.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved 6-0 after removing items 6 and 9 for separate discussion.
  • Approved items included: minutes, resolution of intent to close Proctor Circle, acceptance of dedications for Davenport Farms phases 7&8, interlocal agreement with Pitt County for core communication system, firefighter grant application, HVAC contract, landscape maintenance contract, surplus declaration and vehicle purchase, and tax refunds.

Discussion Items

  • Item 6: Resolution of Intent to Close Unimproved Sections of Laurel Street, Second Street Terrace, and Sycamore Street in College Heights Subdivision. Director of Engineering Lisa Kirby explained that Cypress Glen requested the closure to allow for expansion; the unimproved rights-of-way would revert to adjacent property owners. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 9: Authorization to Acquire Easements for Cedar Lane Stream Stabilization Project. Lisa Kirby clarified that this project stabilizes 1,500 linear feet of Reedy Branch from 14th Street to behind JC Park to address erosion, not flooding in the Golden/Adams area. A separate Cedar Lane drainage project will address flooding. The construction contract will be presented in May. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 16: Presentation by Multimodal Transportation Commission. Chair Arcina Dixon presented the commission's 2023 activities and 2024 goals. Key concerns included ADA compliance (e.g., bus stop at Highway 11 without wheelchair access), excessive speeds in subdivisions, low visibility on Memorial Drive, dangerous crosswalks, and pedestrian accidents. The commission aims to update bylaws, increase community involvement, and engage with council members. Council members expressed support and appreciation.
  • Item 17: Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Use of Limited Use Dumpsters or Trash Receptacles. Public Works Director Kevin Mulligan presented the ordinance to address illegal dumping at city-owned dumpster locations downtown. Penalties: first violation $100 civil, second within 365 days $250, third $500, plus potential class 3 misdemeanor. Signs will be posted. A previous education campaign was conducted. Council supported the ordinance, with discussion emphasizing compliance over enforcement. A preliminary vote passed 6-0; final vote scheduled for March 14.
  • Item 18: Memorandum of Agreement with NC Department of Public Safety for Town Common Bulkhead Project. Recreation and Parks Director Don Barber presented. The MOA secures $5 million in funding for bulkhead replacement (estimated total cost $21.9 million). Design update shared; project timeline: final design by August 2024, permits winter 2024-2025, construction bids spring 2025. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 19: Budget Ordinance Amendment #8. CFO Jacob Joyner presented adjustments across multiple funds, including increasing general fund by $532,000, sanitation fund $3,300, insurance reserves $250,000, housing fund $656,000, transit fund $2.7 million, and stormwater capital fund $630,000. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes on items 6, 9, 17 (first reading), 18, and 19 passed unanimously 6-0.
  • The consent agenda was approved 6-0.
  • The dumpster ordinance will receive a final vote on March 14, 2024.
  • The council reviewed the March 14 agenda.

City Manager's Report

  • City Manager Michael do? (not fully named) presented a video in the 250th anniversary reflection series featuring Dr. Earl Trevathan, who recounted desegregating the hospital nursery in 1954. A student art competition deadline is May 10.

City Attorney's Report

  • Introduced new Assistant City Attorney Jonathan Scott Dixon, a Greenville native, who began February 19. Council welcomed him.

Comments from Mayor and Council

  • Councilmember Robinson praised police response to a shooting where officers apprehended a suspect without injury, calling it exemplary. He also highlighted PirateFest 2024 on April 20 and encouraged use of Wildwood Park.
  • Councilmember Scully thanked the police, the Multimodal Commission, and noted Women's History Month.
  • Councilmember Willis recognized Women's History Month and International Women's Day.
  • Councilmember Blackburn added to police praise, noting the suspect was taken without violence, and remembered former councilmember Inez Fridley, who passed away that morning, for her contributions to greenways and neighborhoods.
  • Councilmember Foreman also recognized Fridley and thanked the commission.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Daniels thanked the commission, noted Social Worker Appreciation Month, and thanked police for their work on a homicide case.
  • Mayor Connolly thanked police, congratulated ECU women's basketball and baseball teams, and encouraged residents to promote Greenville.

Adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the March 11, 2023 meeting of the Greenville City Council to Order. I'm Mayor P. J. Connolly for presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Matt Scully for the invitation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to start with a prayer from uh my faith, which is in the Episcopal Church. Um, this is a prayer from our prayer book for local governments. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, send down upon those who hold office in this city of Greenville the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation, another God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Daniels. Present. Councilmember Foreman. Here. Councilmember Blackburn. Present. Councilmember Scully? Here. Councilmember Robinson? Here. Councilmember Willis. Present. Mayor Connolly, you have a quarter. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Mandager, any recommended changes? No recommended changes, Mayor. All right. Do you have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All right. Motion's been made by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed saying nay. Motion passes six zero. Thank you very much. We'll move on to special recognitions. I'd like to ask Chris Cox to come forward. Tonight we are have the pleasure of recognizing Chris Cox.

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