Greenville City Council Meeting - June 13, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on June 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilmember Portia Willis and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken with all seven members present: Mayor P.J. Connelly, Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, Councilmembers Foreman, Blackburn, Scully, Robinson, and Willis. The agenda was amended to move items 12 and 13 up and add a resolution (item 14) and a closed session motion. The meeting featured special recognitions, public comments, appointments to boards and commissions, public hearings on annexations and rezoning, discussion on the Airport Authority's rezoning application, adoption of the FY 2024-25 budget, a resolution to recover a grant, and a demolition order for a dwelling. Key votes included approval of the budget (5-1) and the airport rezoning application (5-1), while the demolition order passed with extended time (4-2).

Special Recognitions

• Sophie Duncan, Recreation Manager, was recognized for administering CPR to a man in cardiac arrest during the Greenville Pitt County Seniors Games on April 18, 2024. Fire Rescue officials credited her early response with possibly saving the citizen's life.
• James Miller, Public Works Department retiree, was honored for 21 years of service, including perfect attendance in 2018-2019. He was known for his dedication and favorite saying "I'll be there with bells on."
• Billy Merrill, Engineering Department retiree, was recognized for 20.5 years as city surveyor, floodplain manager, and contributions to the community rating system (providing 15% flood insurance discounts). He also helped develop master encroachment agreements for small cell towers and the city's first stormwater infrastructure inventory.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darcy Quill (Pitt County chapter of Down Home NC) expressed gratitude for the council's discussion of their demands at the Monday meeting and looked forward to collaborating on public transportation improvements.
• Carlos Alfonso (organizer, Pitt County Down Home NC) reiterated appreciation and invited council to attend their monthly meeting on June 25.
• Argin A. Jones (North Greenville resident) raised concerns about the airport expansion agenda item, asking for pre-vote community awareness and input.
• Rex Rose (ECU employee and LGBTQ+ advocate) spoke in honor of Pride Month, thanked Councilmembers Blackburn and Scully for their vocal support, and shared eight tips for becoming better allies to the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasized that silent allies are not allies and demanded respect for transgender community members.

Appointments to Boards and Commissions

• Board of Adjustment: Simon Swain (appointed by Willis), Carlos White (appointed by Daniels), Nick White (appointed by Robinson). Ryan Purdle (Mayor Connelly) continued.
• Greenville Utilities Commission: Justin Fuller (appointed by Willis).
• Housing Authority: Two appointments continued pending confirmation.
• Human Relations Council: Dr. Monisha Atkinson (appointed by Willis).
• Multimodal Transportation Commission: Continued.
• Airport Authority: Cheryl Brown reappointed (unanimous).
• Planning and Zoning Commission: Carlos White was initially appointed to Board of Adjustment; his Planning and Zoning appointment was continued to August due to dual application confusion. Damon Harrison (appointed by Daniels). Hunter Patency (Mayor Connelly) continued.
• Recreation and Parks Commission: Matthew Ivey (appointed by Scully). Montez Bishop reappointed.
• Youth Council: Elizabeth Perry (appointed by Willis).

Discussion Items

• Airport Rezoning (Item 12): The Pitt County-City of Greenville Airport Authority requested authorization to submit a rezoning application for 29 acres of city/county-owned land adjacent to airport runways, seeking "unoffensive industrial" zoning. Attorney Drake Franklin explained the procedural front-end nature of this request (full public hearings would follow). Councilmember Foreman expressed concerns about community engagement beyond minimum legal requirements, noting calls from residents outside the 500-foot notification radius. She suggested proactive outreach and more public meetings. Airport Executive Director Bill Hopper stated a neighborhood meeting was held in October 2023 and offered additional meetings. After discussion, the application was approved 5-1.
• FY 2024-25 Budget Adoption (Item 13): CFO Jacob Joines presented the $483.5 million total budget ($175.9M city operating, $302M GUC, $2M CVB, $3.2M library). The property tax rate proposed was 39.54 cents per $100 valuation (down from 48.95 cents) but above the revenue-neutral rate of 36.85 cents, generating an additional $2.9 million for priority items including seven new fire rescue positions, public safety pay adjustments, pavement management, ADA sidewalks, a community engagement coordinator, and a sustainability coordinator. Councilmember Robinson proposed an amendment to eliminate the sustainability coordinator ($95,000) and community engagement coordinator ($95,000), arguing they were luxuries and that partnerships could achieve the same goals more cheaply. Councilmember Willis argued the positions were essential for supporting marginalized communities, environmental sustainability, and proactive engagement, especially given rising rents and hardship. The amendment failed due to lack of a second (though one was later claimed, then the amendment was not voted on as a separate motion). The original motion to approve the budget passed 5-1 (Robinson dissenting).
• 902 Ward Street Demolition (Item 11): Code Enforcement Supervisor Sylvia Brown and Chief Building Official William Mills presented an update on the rehab progress for a fire-damaged dwelling. The owner was granted a one-year rehab agreement in June 2023, but failed to meet requirements including passing inspections before covering work. A third-party inspection on June 6, 2024, revealed unapproved electrical, plumbing, and structural issues (fire damage, improper support, covered work). Staff recommended demolition. The owner, Mr. Wilson, requested time to exit the property and counsel neighbors. Councilmember Robinson moved to approve demolition but extend the owner's self-help period from 30 to 60 days. The motion passed 4-2 (Foreman and Willis opposed, expressing heartbreak over the situation and noting the owner lacked capital to comply).
• Resolution to Recover Grant (Item 14): City Attorney Manuel McDermott presented a resolution authorizing outside counsel to file a lawsuit to recapture a One NC grant from HC Composites due to non-compliance. Unanimously approved.
• Other Public Hearings (Items 5-10): All passed unanimously.
  • Item 5: Naming three rooms within the C.M. Epps Alumni Cultural & Heritage Center after James M. Hines, Dr. Bernadette G. Watts, and Wilma Emma Jean Taylor Dupree/Jean Johnson Darden. Approved.
  • Item 6: Annexation of Kadie Farms Phase 1 (15.7669 acres). Approved.
  • Item 7: Annexation of 144.07 acres (Roy Theodore Cox et al.). Approved.
  • Item 8: Rezoning of the same property to RA20 (residential) and CG (commercial). Approved.
  • Item 9: Rezoning of 24.15 acres from R6 to MS (Medical Support) for University Health Systems. Approved.
  • Item 10: Ordinance allowing city manager to authorize encroachments in rights-of-way for expedited review under NC law. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• FY 2024-25 Budget adopted (5-1). Tax rate set at 39.54 cents per $100; includes 7 new fire positions, public safety pay adjustments, community engagement coordinator, and sustainability coordinator.
• Airport rezoning application authorized (5-1). Community engagement commitments made; final rezoning public hearings expected in September 2024.
• 902 Ward Street demolition ordered with extended 60-day self-help period (4-2). Owner must demolish or city will take action thereafter.
• Resolution to sue HC Composites to recapture grant funds (6-0).
• Closed session authorized (6-0) for attorney-client privilege on two lawsuits (Montoye Dante Sharp cases).
• June 24 council meeting cancelled (6-0).
• All other public hearings and appointments passed unanimously.