OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – August 8, 2024

City Council — Thursday, August 8, 2024
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, August 8, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:33

All right, good evening.

1:35

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

1:39

I'm Mayor P.

1:40

J.

1:40

Conley.

1:40

I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting.

1:42

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

1:47

Mayor, thank you.

1:48

I hope you all join me in prayer.

1:52

Heavenly Father, despite the abundant rain, thank you for this beautiful day and for the life we live.

1:59

Thank you for your amazing power and the work in our lives.

2:02

Thank you for your goodness and the many blessings we have received, both acknowledged and unknown.

2:08

Thank you for our families, relatives, friends, colleagues, and citizens.

2:14

Thank you for the many employees and staff who serve us and the citizens of Greenville.

2:18

Thank you for those who I serve with on this council.

2:22

Thank you for your great love and care and your infinite mercy and grace.

2:26

I ask that you give each of us the experience, wisdom, and discernment to properly consider all views and opinions on the issues that come before us.

2:46

I ask that you give us special peace and comfort to the family and relatives of Remy Stein's and to assuage their grief with the knowledge of his legacy and impact on so many people in our business and sporting community.

2:58

I ask that you pour out your abundant blessings on those who have suffered from the wind and rains and who are less fortunate than us here today.

3:06

Finally, Father, I thank you for another day.

3:09

Use me as you will.

3:13

Amen.

3:14

Amen.

3:14

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:26

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

3:43

Here.

3:44

Councilmember Foreman.

3:45

Here.

3:45

Councilmember Blackmer.

3:47

Present.

3:47

Councilmember Scully.

3:49

Here.

3:49

Councilmember Robinson.

3:50

Here.

3:51

Councilmember Willis.

3:52

Here.

3:53

Mayor Conley Form.

3:54

All right.

3:54

Thank you very much.

3:55

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

3:59

Mr.

3:59

Manager.

4:00

No recommended change, Mayor.

4:02

Second.

4:03

All right.

4:04

Motion's been made by Mayor Pro Tim Daniels, second by Councilmember Willis.

4:07

All those in favor say aye.

4:09

Aye.

4:09

Opposed say nay.

4:12

Thank you very much.

4:13

Move on to special recognition.

4:25

I would like to ask Deputy Chief Chris Abbey to come forward with family.

4:33

And Chief Soles.

4:51

So tonight I have the honor of recognizing the retirement of Deputy Chief Chris Ivey from the City of Greenville and the Greenville Police Department.

5:00

And I can assure you that he has served this city well for almost 30 years.

5:04

I would like to give a little bit of background about Chris before I go off script.

5:10

So uh so Chris began his career with uh GPD back in 1995, and over Chris's career, he has been revered by co-workers, beloved by subordinates, and respected by all that have worked with him.

5:24

For many years, Ivy was in the traffic safety unit and continued up to retirement working with the city's traffic safety task force.

5:32

Ivy served in the narcotics enforcement criminal investigations and in within every rank of the department, accumulating as deputy chief of our police department.

5:43

Chris has been a tremendous asset to the inner workings of the police department as well as the overall effectiveness of many other efforts of the city in general.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████33%
Public Comment█████████████████17%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Public Safety████████████12%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Procedural████4%
Public Works███3%
Community Engagement███3%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – August 8, 2024

The Greenville City Council convened on August 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda included significant economic development incentives for four companies (Nipro Medical, UNX-Christeyns, Attends Healthcare, and Boviet Solar), multiple rezoning and annexation requests, and appointments to various boards. Councilmembers expressed concerns about infrastructure capacity, particularly along East 10th Street.

Special Recognitions

  • The Council honored Deputy Chief Chris Ivey for his 30-year career with the Greenville Police Department. Mayor Conley and Councilmembers praised his service and leadership.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public registered to speak during the public comment period.

Appointments

  • The Council unanimously approved appointments to several boards and commissions, including:
    • Board of Adjustment: McKenzie Barnes (6-0)
    • Housing Authority: Valerie Torres Torres (6-0)
    • Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority: continued to a later date
    • Convention and Visitors Authority: Brenda Fairfax and Shamika White (6-0)
    • Planning and Zoning Commission: Carlos White (6-0)
    • Multimodal Transportation Commission: Joey X. Austin (6-0)
    • Youth Council: no appointments at this time
    • Other reappointments: Brian Furtle (Board of Adjustment), Brad Carter (board unspecified) – both approved 6-0.

Discussion Items and Public Hearings

Item 3 – Annexation (Dennis R. Davis property)

  • Staff presented a request to annex 1.20 acres west of Frog Level Road for sewer access. No public speakers. The Council voted 6-0 to approve the annexation.

Item 4 – Rezone 13.86 acres (B. Marshall Whitehurst) from RA20 to R6A

  • The property, located south of Norfolk Southern Railroad and east of Portertown Road, would allow medium-density multifamily (80-85 units) instead of 30-35 single-family lots under current zoning. Councilmember Blackburn expressed opposition due to inadequate infrastructure on East 10th Street (lack of sidewalks, high speed limit, safety concerns). Despite consistency with the land use plan, she voted no. The motion passed 5-1.

Item 5 – Rezone 13.33 acres (Greenville Church of Christ) from RA20 to R6S

  • The request would allow up to 50 single-family lots. The property is adjacent to Courthouse Square subdivision. Residents voiced concerns about traffic, flooding, and a natural gas pipeline. Councilmember Blackburn again opposed, citing unresolved neighborhood concerns. City Manager noted the property could already be developed with up to 30 lots under current zoning. The motion passed 5-1.

Item 6 – Rezone 0.488 acres (Happy Trail Farms) from RA20 to CG

  • The small lot near Dickinson Avenue Extension would allow 4,000 sq ft of commercial use. Councilmember Blackburn questioned potential commercial creep but ultimately supported the motion. Unanimously approved 6-0.

Items 7-10 – Economic Development Incentives

  • Four resolutions were presented by Y'Kendra Dunn of the Greenville ENC Alliance:
    • Project Bluefin (Nipro Medical): 232 new jobs, $398.2 million capital investment, average salary $56,147. Council approved a $500,000 job creation grant (5-year, $100,000/year) and pass-through services. Councilmember Foreman requested future disclosure of minimum pay rates. Unanimous 6-0.
    • Project Spotless (UNX-Christeyns): 21 new jobs, $2.5 million investment, average salary $59,857. City to serve as pass-through for an $80,000 building reuse grant with a $15,000 local match. Unanimous 6-0.
    • Project Block (Attends Healthcare): 25 new jobs, $26.2 million investment, average salary $56,747. One-time $50,000 job creation grant. Unanimous 6-0.
    • Project Gen (Boviet Solar): 908 new jobs, $294 million investment, average salary $52,879. City to apply for an IDF utility grant (up to $10.4 million substation) with GUC providing 25% match. Council approved serving as pass-through. Unanimous 6-0.
  • Mayor Conley and Councilmembers commended Ms. Dunn and the Alliance for attracting over 1,186 new jobs and nearly $721 million in capital investment.

City Manager’s Report

  • Staff recognized for exceptional efforts in preparing for Tropical Storm Debby, including clearing storm drains, removing debris, and maintaining services. The Little League Softball World Series was also acknowledged, with local team Pitt County playing.

Comments from Mayor and Council

  • Multiple councilmembers reiterated the need for a comprehensive study and safety improvements on East 10th Street.
  • Councilmember Foreman highlighted a workforce development meeting aimed at ensuring local residents benefit from new jobs and advocated for a minimum wage of $15/hour.
  • Councilmember Scully urged continued infrastructure investment along the 10th Street corridor.
  • Councilmember Robinson announced plans to tour each council district to better understand local needs.
  • The Council extended condolences to the family of Remy Steins and to those affected by recent storms.
  • Pride events in August were noted.

Key Outcomes

  • Approvals (all 6-0): Annexation (Item 3), Rezone Item 6, all four economic development incentives (Items 7-10), and all board appointments.
  • Approvals (5-1): Rezone Items 4 and 5; Councilmember Blackburn voted against both due to infrastructure and neighborhood concerns.
  • No items were denied or deferred beyond the Airport Authority appointment.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the August 8th, 2024 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order. I'm Mayor P. J. Conley. I'll be presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Les Robinson for the invitation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor, thank you. I hope you all join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, despite the abundant rain, thank you for this beautiful day and for the life we live. Thank you for your amazing power and the work in our lives. Thank you for your goodness and the many blessings we have received, both acknowledged and unknown. Thank you for our families, relatives, friends, colleagues, and citizens. Thank you for the many employees and staff who serve us and the citizens of Greenville. Thank you for those who I serve with on this council. Thank you for your great love and care and your infinite mercy and grace. I ask that you give each of us the experience, wisdom, and discernment to properly consider all views and opinions on the issues that come before us. I ask that you give us special peace and comfort to the family and relatives of Remy Stein's and to assuage their grief with the knowledge of his legacy and impact on so many people in our business and sporting community. I ask that you pour out your abundant blessings on those who have suffered from the wind and rains and who are less fortunate than us here today. Finally, Father, I thank you for another day. Use me as you will. Amen. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation, another God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Here. Councilmember Foreman. Here. Councilmember Blackmer. Present. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. Mayor Conley Form. All right. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager. No recommended change, Mayor. Second. All right. Motion's been made by Mayor Pro Tim Daniels, second by Councilmember Willis. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Thank you very much.

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