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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - January 9, 2025

City Council — Thursday, January 9, 2025
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, January 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:13:46

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
2:32

All right, good evening.

2:33

I'd like to call the January 9th, 2025 meeting of the Greenville City Council Order.

2:37

I'm Mayor PJ Connolly.

2:38

I purpose be presiding over tonight's meeting.

2:41

First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Matthew Scully for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:47

Thank you very much, Mayor.

2:48

I'd like to call forward the Reverend Josiah Daniels, a friend of mine from St.

2:52

Paul's Episcopal Church, one of our priests there at my church at St.

2:56

Paul's on Fourth Street.

3:02

Thank you so much.

3:04

Let us pray.

4:11

Councilmember Foreman here.

4:13

Councilmember Blackburn, present.

4:15

Councilmember Scully.

4:17

Councilmember Robinson.

4:18

Here.

4:19

Council Member Wellis.

4:20

Here.

4:20

All right.

4:20

Mayor Howley have a quorum.

4:22

Thank you very much.

4:22

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

4:25

Mr.

4:25

Manager.

4:26

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

4:26

I would like to request that uh council add an item to tonight's agenda under public hearings titled resolution authorizing the sale of city owned property located at 808.

4:36

Vanderbilt Lane to Vicki May and Bobby Swindle.

4:41

This item would be uh added to the agenda under item number fifty number fifteen.

4:45

Move to approve as amended second.

4:48

All right, motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, second by Council Member Blackburn.

4:52

All those in favor say aye.

4:53

Opposed say no.

4:54

Motion passes six zero.

4:56

Thank you very much.

4:58

We'll now move on to the public comment period.

5:00

The public comment period is a period reserved for comments by the public.

5:03

Items that were or scheduled to be a subject of the public hearing conducted at this meeting or another meeting during the same week.

5:07

Should not be discussed.

5:08

So total of 30 minutes is allocated with each individual being allowed no more than three minutes.

5:11

Individuals who register to the city clerks with the city clerk to speak will speak in the order register until the allotted 30 minutes expires.

5:17

If time remains after all persons have registered have spoken, individuals who did not register will have an opportunity to speak until the allotted 30 minutes expires.

5:24

Madam Clerk, our first speaker.

5:26

Yes, our first speaker is Ms.

5:28

Pam Strickland.

5:29

Ms.

5:29

Tricklin, you have three minutes.

5:31

Address the mayor and city council.

5:40

Good evening.

5:42

Good evening.

5:53

Vanessa Ferramett, who's also on our team.

5:56

I wanted to share with you that one of the things that we do spend a lot of time doing is trying to convince people that we actually have human trafficking here in this area.

6:09

People are readily willing to believe that it happens in other countries and maybe even in other states, but certainly not here.

6:20

And so I just wanted to take a moment and to let folks know that there wouldn't be a need for the Pitt County Coalition against Human Trafficking or the Pitt County Human Trafficking Multidisciplinary Team, which is a smaller group that works hands-on with survivors as they are coming out of a trafficking situation to make sure that their needs are met and that they can move forward.

6:42

And so those groups are busy, and they're busy because it does happen here.

6:48

And so just wanted to ask for people's understanding of that and and for commitment to to help us to do the work to educate people and to join in.

7:01

And if you have the uh capacity to come to a coalition meeting, we would love to have you there.

7:07

Our next one is on January 16th.

7:10

We meet on Thursday at 9 30, and we meet in the Hartford ENC training center.

7:16

The other thing that I have to convince people of a lot of times is that our biggest danger is not people driving through a neighborhood in a white van waiting to snatch your kids up.

7:28

That almost never happens, in fact.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Flag Etiquette████████████████████20%
Procedural█████████9%
Public Comment████████8%
Public Transportation████████8%
Public Works███████7%
Zoning And Land Use███████7%
Signage Regulation███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Public Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - January 9, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on January 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a public comment period, appointments to boards and commissions, consent agenda items, several public hearings, and other business. Notable actions included the denial of a text amendment for oversized flags, approval of a downtown parking plan, and authorization of home sales as part of affordable housing initiatives. All votes were 6-0 unless noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved as amended after pulling items 3 and 4: Amendment of the 2025 schedule of City Council meetings (Item 2); Memorandum of Agreement with NC Wildlife Resources Commission for a fishing pier at Wildwood Park (Item 4); Resolution for interlocal agreement with Pitt County for debris removal from Tar River (Item 5); HOME Investment Partnerships Fund extension (Item 6); Authorization to apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grant (Item 7); Lease/purchase for golf course maintenance equipment (Item 8); Purchase contract for live burn training facility (Item 9); Contract award for 2025 Rehabilitation and Preservation Project (Item 10); Various tax refunds (Item 11).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Pam Strickland, representing the Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking, spoke about human trafficking awareness. She asked for community understanding and commitment to educate the public and invited attendance at the next coalition meeting on January 16. She also dispelled myths about trafficking, emphasizing that most victims are exploited by people they know, not strangers.

Discussion Items

  • Item 3 – Greenville Utilities Commission Gas Capital Project Budget: Approved after Councilmember Blackburn asked about the scope (rehabilitation of old gas lines in West Greenville and north of the river). A motion to approve passed 6-0.
  • Item 4 – Fishing Pier at Wildwood Park: Councilmember Blackburn suggested renaming it a "fishing and observation pier" to encourage non-fishing use. The Executive Director agreed to consider that. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 12 – Rezoning 16.871 acres near County Home Road (RA20 to R6A): Staff recommended approval for multifamily development (100-110 units). One community member spoke in opposition, citing traffic congestion near Wintergreen School and loss of green space near Alice F. Keene District Park. Council noted the road is state-maintained and discussed traffic needs. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 13 – Camping World Flagpole and Flag Size Amendment: The applicant sought to allow up to three 130-foot flagpoles and non-commercial flags up to 3,200 sq. ft. Staff presented that the existing flag on site (40'x80') was erected without a proper permit and did not comply with current rules. The applicant’s representative acknowledged process failures. Multiple speakers opposed the amendment, arguing it was a publicity stunt and that the size was disproportionate and unsafe. Council members expressed concern about deception and safety, but some said they support large flags under proper ordinances. Motion to deny passed 6-0.
  • Item 14 – Uptown Outdoor Dining Permit Amendments for Dickinson Avenue: The amendment aligns city standards with NCDOT requirements, including a 5-foot clearance (up from 4 feet) and a 6-foot setback from the street. Council discussion focused on balancing safety and encouraging outdoor dining. Approved 6-0.
  • Items 15 & 15A – Sales of City-Owned Property to Homebuyers: Two separate sales to first-time homebuyers under the West Greenville revitalization initiative. Both buyers expressed gratitude. Approved 6-0 each.
  • Item 16 – Financial Audit Results: Staff reported an unmodified opinion, a fund balance of 29.19% (up from previous years), and an available fund balance of $31.4 million. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 17 – Downtown Greenville Parking Plan: Presentation by CFO Jacob Joyner and Troy Dreyfus of Downtown Greenville Partnership. Key features: free 2-hour parking on streets and surface lots (7 AM-7 PM weekdays), parking deck free for 2 hours then $0.75/hr, no app/kiosk, enforcement via license plate readers, residential permits unchanged. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 18 – MWBE Joint Disparity Study Consultant Contract: Awarded to Miller 3 Consultant Inc. for $460,098 (with $100K from GUC). Study will assess contracting practices over 18 months. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 19 – Financing for Public Improvements (up to $11M): Authorizes LGC application for installment financing to complete the BUILD grant project and public works stormwater pipe replacement. Approved 6-0.
  • Item 20 – Budget Ordinance Amendment #6: Adjusted budgets for special revenue grants, sanitation fund, and facilities improvement fund. Total operating budget now $191.6 million. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Denied the Camping World flagpole/text amendment (6-0) over concerns about process, safety, and excessive size.
  • Approved the downtown parking plan (6-0) with enforcement beginning March 2025 after an education period.
  • Approved sales of city-owned homes to first-time buyers at 624 Hudson Street and 808 Vanderbilt Lane.
  • Approved the MWBE disparity study contract and the financing resolution.
  • Issued a city manager's shout-out to custodial crew leader Sheldon McLean.
  • Council members announced upcoming events: MLK Jr. Day events (community unity event on Jan. 20), annual planning session on Jan. 24-25, and the Greenville Civic Ballet's production of The Wizard of Oz (Jan. 25-26).

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the January 9th, 2025 meeting of the Greenville City Council Order. I'm Mayor PJ Connolly. I purpose be presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Matthew Scully for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you very much, Mayor. I'd like to call forward the Reverend Josiah Daniels, a friend of mine from St. Paul's Episcopal Church, one of our priests there at my church at St. Paul's on Fourth Street. Thank you so much. Let us pray. Councilmember Foreman here. Councilmember Blackburn, present. Councilmember Scully. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Council Member Wellis. Here. All right. Mayor Howley have a quorum. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager. Yes, thank you, Mayor. I would like to request that uh council add an item to tonight's agenda under public hearings titled resolution authorizing the sale of city owned property located at 808. Vanderbilt Lane to Vicki May and Bobby Swindle. This item would be uh added to the agenda under item number fifty number fifteen. Move to approve as amended second. All right, motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, second by Council Member Blackburn. All those in favor say aye. Opposed say no. Motion passes six zero. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the public comment period. The public comment period is a period reserved for comments by the public. Items that were or scheduled to be a subject of the public hearing conducted at this meeting or another meeting during the same week. Should not be discussed. So total of 30 minutes is allocated with each individual being allowed no more than three minutes. Individuals who register to the city clerks with the city clerk to speak will speak in the order register until the allotted 30 minutes expires. If time remains after all persons have registered have spoken, individuals who did not register will have an opportunity to speak until the allotted 30 minutes expires. Madam Clerk, our first speaker. Yes, our first speaker is Ms. Pam Strickland. Ms. Tricklin, you have three minutes. Address the mayor and city council. Good evening. Good evening. Vanessa Ferramett, who's also on our team.

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