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.