Greenville City Council Meeting - November 14, 2024

The Greenville City Council met on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connolly presided. Councilmember Portia Willis was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilmember Les Robinson, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. The agenda was unanimously approved (5:0). The council recognized the Greenville Tar Heel 11 All-Star Baseball Team for their championship season, then proceeded through a public comment period, appointments, a consent agenda, eleven public hearings and new business items, and a city manager's report. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items 5–8) after pulling item 4 for discussion, all approved 5:0.
• Item 3: Assignment of lease agreement for Guy Smith Stadium to CHA Baseball Management, LLC — approved 5:0.
• Item 4: Authorization to receive funds from NC DEQ for the 2024 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant — approved 5:0. The grant had already been received; the request was solely to place funds in the appropriate account.
• Item 5: Resolution declaring Police Canine Audie surplus and authorizing disposition to Officer Chad Bowen — approved 5:0.
• Item 6: Resolution declaring Ironhorse chairs surplus and authorizing disposition to Pinetops Police Department — approved 5:0.
• Item 7: Resolution declaring Ford sedans surplus and authorizing disposition to Teen Driving Solutions School — approved 5:0.
• Item 8: Various tax refunds greater than $100 — approved 5:0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Karen Jenkins, a clinical mental health clinician and founder of Carolina Hearts, addressed the council about ongoing recovery efforts in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. She expressed a desire for community support and resource coordination, noting that her nonprofit is incorporating and has already facilitated donations of fire trucks. She requested communication and awareness efforts from the city. Chief Brock Davenport was asked to follow up with her.

Discussion Items

• Appointments: Michael Overton was appointed to the Pitt-Greenville Airport Authority (5:0). Dr. James Byrd and Kelly Gonzalez were appointed to the Multimodal Transportation Commission (5:0). A direct appointment to the Police Community Relations Committee (See a Catum) was confirmed. Councilmember Willis's youth council appointment was deferred to a future meeting.
• Public Hearing – Arbor Hills South Annexation (Item 9): Ordinance to annex 10.3764 acres at Sparrow Court and L.T. Hardee Road. Expected to yield 30 single-family lots and an estimated tax value of $9 million. Approved 5:0 with no public comments.
• Public Hearing – Ridgewood Farms Phase 2 Annexation (Item 10): Ordinance to annex 17.91 acres north of Thomas Langston Road. Two tracts expected to yield 42 single-family lots and 69 multifamily units, with a combined estimated tax value of $23.65 million. Approved 5:0 with no public comments.
• Public Hearing – Rennsport Motorwerks Rezoning (Item 11): Request to rezone 1.52 acres on Port Terminal Road from RA20 (Residential-Agricultural) to CH (Heavy Commercial). The applicant, represented by Mike Baldwin, argued the site is unsuitable for residential use and that adjacent parcels are already CH. Councilmember Marion Blackburn raised concerns about safety on East 10th Street, flooding history, and the broad range of uses allowed under CH. Councilmember Matthew Sculley supported the rezoning, citing staff analysis and the future land use plan. A motion to deny failed for lack of a second. A motion to approve received a 3–2 vote (Robinson, Sculley, and Mayor Connolly in favor; Blackburn and Foreman opposed), but fell short of the required four votes for an ordinance. The item was then tabled to December 12, 2024, by a 4:1 vote (Blackburn dissenting).
• Public Hearing – Conventional Restaurant Definition (Item 12): Proposed text amendment to align city code with state definitions. After discussion, the council added a modification to require an on-site dining area. Approved 5:0 with that change.
• Public Hearing – Chronic Violator and Swimming Pools (Item 13): Amendment to expand chronic violator categories and restrict any unattended pool in front/side yards that becomes a nuisance (e.g., stagnant water, pests). Approved 5:0.
• Public Hearing – Rename River's Edge Park (Item 14): Request to rename the park in honor of former Councilmember Inez N. Fridley. Supporters, including Maury York, Charlie Adams, Jamie Jones, Ann Maxwell, and Brenda Ernest, testified to her legacy of greenway advocacy, historic preservation, and community service. Approved 5:0.
• Ordinance – Garbage and Refuse Collection (Item 15): Amended Title 6, Chapter 3 to allow purchase of approved refuse carts from city or other vendors, set placement times, and require removal by noon the day after service. Approved 5:0.
• Title VI Nondiscrimination Program (Item 16): Adopted the federal Title VI program, designating a coordinator and outlining non-discrimination requirements. Approved 5:0.
• National Opioid Settlement Update (Item 17): Approved resolutions for an interlocal agreement with Pitt County and a letter to the NC DOJ to direct future opioid settlement funds to the county. The city is set to receive $1.89 million over 18 years; county receives $15.94 million. Approved 5:0.
• Police Off-Duty Supervisor Fee (Item 18): Amended the manual of fees to add a $55/hour premium supervisor rate for off-duty police work. Approved 5:0.
• Budget Ordinance Amendment #4 (Item 19): Adjusted funds for fire rescue, parking equipment, contingency, sanitation, and established the East Fire Tower Stormwater Project ($18.7 million). Total operating budget became $191.6 million. Approved 5:0.
• City Manager's Report: Included acknowledgment of staff, a Thanksgiving reflection on the city's 250th anniversary, and a request to cancel meetings on November 25, December 23, and January 6, which was approved 5:0.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and routine items were unanimously approved (5:0) except where noted.
• The Rennsport Motorwerks rezoning (Item 11) did not receive the required four votes to pass; it was tabled to December 12, 2024, by a 4:1 vote.
• The conventional restaurant definition was amended to require an on-site dining area before approval.
• Council approved the naming of River's Edge Park after Inez N. Fridley.
• Approved several resolutions and ordinances related to interlocal agreements, fees, and budget amendments.
• Council canceled three upcoming meetings (November 25, December 23, January 6) with a 5:0 vote.