Greenville City Council Meeting – August 5, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on August 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments on traffic safety, a presentation from the Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority, approval of consent agenda items, a budget ordinance amendment, a bridge replacement agreement, and a settlement announcement. Council also discussed tropical storm preparedness and the Little League Softball World Series.

Consent Calendar

• Authorized execution of confirmation payment for Langston Farms LLC regarding municipal reimbursement agreement.
• Approved Opioid Litigation Resolution and Supplemental Agreement for funds from additional settlements.
• Approved contract award to TranSystems for Construction Engineering and Inspection Services for Brightspeed Fiber Installation Project.
• Approved various tax refunds greater than $100.
• Item 3 (paratransit interlocal agreement) was pulled for discussion and later approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tracy Donahue (River Hills resident) expressed concern about traffic safety at the subdivision entryway due to new development, comparing potential congestion to "the gauntlet" on 10th Street.
• Adam Belank (retired Coast Guard, River Hills resident) highlighted dangerous conditions on 10th Street East, including high speeds and lack of a traffic light. He noted that a planned kids' clinic will worsen the situation and urged action.
• Dr. Yoshi Newman thanked Council for approving funding for a sustainability manager in the budget, but expressed confusion about earlier suggestions to hire a consultant instead. She argued a consultant would have wasted taxpayer money, emphasizing the value of the new position.
• Angel Mondragon (Army veteran, River Hills resident since 2007) described increased traffic and accidents on 10th Street and suggested installing a basketball court for neighborhood kids and moving the development entrance to a safer location near Lowe's.
• Corey (disabled veteran, River Hills resident) questioned how a business was allowed next to a residential area with only one access point. He implied corruption and requested answers. Mayor Conley responded that he did not receive payments and offered to meet.

Discussion Items

Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority Presentation

Bill Hopper (Executive Director) and John Banks (Board Chairman) provided an update:

• The airport has 23 full-time and 5 part-time employees, 8 board members, and American Airlines service to Charlotte.
• Passenger enplanements: pre-pandemic ~55,000; 2020 dropped; 2023 reached 38,207 (best since pandemic).
• Non-stop flights from private/corporate aircraft cover all states except Oregon, Montana, Minnesota (previous year only missing New Mexico).
• Economic impact (2022 study): 1,200+ jobs, $85M personal income, $14M state/local taxes, $267M total output.
• New hangars: 7 completed, 2 nearly done (both rented). One new jet valued at $22M brings property tax revenue.
• Future development areas: 24 acres on west side (old runway), 90 acres north of river (no airfield access but high ground with utilities), 24 acres for immediate hangar development. Rezoning public meeting scheduled for August 6.
• Airport finances: Revenues from passengers, parking, car rentals, airline fees, fuel, hangars, and leases. No taxing authority. COVID money helped offset revenue loss from reduced flights (5 to 3 daily). Federal grants covered $10M in capital improvements with 10% match from PFC charges.
• Audits clean; currently under audit.
• Community engagement: Chairman Banks noted previous outreach efforts. Councilmember Willis emphasized the need for better notification; many north-of-river residents were unaware of the August 6 meeting. Banks stated letters were sent beyond 500-foot requirement.

Vehicle Surplus and Replacement (Item 7)

Director of Public Works Kevin Mulligan presented a resolution to declare 13 vehicles surplus and purchase 15 replacements (fire truck, ambulance, 6 PD SUVs, 2 pickups, backhoe, bucket truck, vector truck). Funded via Vehicle Replacement Fund (established 2007). Total cost $3.577 million. Approved 6-0.

Budget Ordinance Amendment #1 (Item 8)

CFO Jacob Joyner presented amendment affecting General Fund, capital project funds, and occupancy tax fund. Key items:

• Recognize capital projects in public works ($350K) and engineering ($3.3M for street preservation).
• Carryover $1.7M from FY24: Epps Rec Center pathway, sports connection batting tunnel ($300K), East Side/Wildwood Park projects, Elm Street drainage, Merchants Alley, Kensington Bridge maintenance, Brightspeed project.
• Appropriate $100K for solar job creation grant.
• Transfer $45K from occupancy tax to sports complex task force consultant.
• Close fire station #8 land acquisition, establish burn facility project ($500K).
• Recognize long-term debt for public works yard pipe replacement ($1.7M).
• Move funds for MWBE services (no budget impact).
• Recognize $150K from GEC for energy assistance. Total operating budget after amendment: $177M. Councilmember Willis asked about sports complex costs: $60K previously for feasibility study, plus $45K for community engagement (total $105K). Approved 6-0.

Bridge Replacement on Oxford Road (Item 9, added)

Municipal agreement with NCDOT for replacement of bridge over Bells Branch on Oxford Road (fully funded by NCDOT). Councilmember Scully praised fast work. Approved 6-0.

Settlement Announcement (Item 10, added)

City Attorney announced settlement in KLA Holdings vs. City of Greenville. KLA released city from all claims of monetary damages and attorney fees; city rescinded violation notices issued June 24, 2021. Terms entered into minutes. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda items (1-5 except 3 later approved after discussion).
• Approved paratransit interlocal agreement with Pitt County (Item 3).
• Approved vehicle surplus and replacement resolution (7) – 6-0.
• Approved Budget Ordinance Amendment #1 (8) – 6-0.
• Approved bridge replacement agreement (9) – 6-0.
• Approved settlement announcement (10) – 6-0.
• Councilmember Blackburn requested city manager arrange a meeting with NCDOT and city/county staff to address traffic safety on 10th Street East near River Hills.
• Council recognized the Little League Softball World Series and urged safe practices for approaching tropical storm.
• Council entered closed session to consult with attorney regarding lawsuit.

Closed Session

Council adopted a motion to hold closed session per NCGS 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with attorney on lawsuit Sean Rambert et al. vs. City of Greenville and David Brandon Johnson.