Greenville City Council Meeting - February 13, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connelly presided. Councilmember Foreman and Councilmember Willis were absent, leaving four members present. The meeting included a special recognition, public comments, appointments, a public hearing on a financing agreement, updates on the Horizons 2026 community plan and Greenfield Terrace Park improvements, and a city manager's report with shout-outs.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Approved by a 4-0 vote (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels, second by Councilmember Blackburn).

Special Recognitions

• Renee Umphlett, from the Planning and Development Services Department, was honored for her 25 years of service to the city, starting in 2000 after Hurricane Floyd. She helped build the inspections division and streamline processes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jason (Granville address): Expressed complaints about police conduct, an unprofessional lieutenant, and a city attorney (Mr. DeBoas McGurts) allegedly telling him to cease and desist. He claimed his civil rights were violated and said the issue is ongoing. He did not state an organization.
• Wade Wilson (929 Gabriel Drive): Opposed Judge Jefferson Griffin's lawsuit seeking to disqualify over 60,000 North Carolina votes in the state Supreme Court race, including 725 Greenville voters. He argued the election was settled and that Griffin's claims lack legal basis, comparing the attempted retroactive disqualification to changing baseball rules after the game. He urged council to denounce Griffin's actions.

Appointments

• Historic Preservation Commission: Councilmember Blackburn nominated Rebecca Smith. The motion passed 4-0. Appointments for the Affordable Housing Loan Committee (assigned to Councilmember Foreman), Human Relations Council, and Youth Council were deferred to the next meeting.

Public Hearings

• Trust Agreement for Financing Public Improvements (Up to $11,000,000): Chief Financial Officer Jacob Joyner presented the required public hearing for a trust agreement to finance the BUILD grant project and Phase 2 of public works stormwater pipe replacement. The application will be considered by the Local Government Commission on March 4, 2025. No members of the public spoke for or against. Council approved the authorizing resolution by a 4-0 vote (motion by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Councilmember Robinson).

Discussion Items

• Update on Horizons 2026 Greenville's Community Plan: Chief Planner Sean Gooby presented an update on the citywide plan adopted in 2016, which is approaching its 10-year anniversary. Of 17 priority action items in the plan, seven are completed or near completion (including mixed-use zoning standards, incentive programs, Dickinson Avenue improvements, information sharing, community gardens, transit coordination, and watershed master plan). Ten items have work commenced (including mandatory design standards in Uptown, development corridor standards, strategies for peripheral apartment complexes, historic preservation plan, open space set-aside options, a fiscal impact model, a green energy plan with a sustainability coordinator position being recruited, an iconic pedestrian bridge alternative known as the North-South Connector on North Green Street, redevelopment of properties on First Street, and strategies to stabilize the university area). The next step is a funding request in the FY2026 budget to update the Horizons plan. Councilmember Blackburn commended the work and discussed potential updates and incentives for developer-provided parks.
• Update on Park Improvements at Greenfield Terrace Park: Executive Director Don Octagan reported on the construction contract approved last June. Work includes new playground equipment, parking lot paving, basketball court resurfacing, and a major renovation of the Barnes & Taft Community Building (new kitchen, windows, entrance, flooring, acoustic enhancements, and 900-square-foot expansion). The project is on schedule for completion in May 2025. A ribbon-cutting is planned for late May or early June. The building is popular for rentals, and the city will begin accepting reservations about a month before opening.

City Manager's Report

• City Manager Michael Cowan gave shout-outs:
  • Battalion Chief Kevin Sowers (Greenville Fire Rescue, 27 years) who created a comprehensive financial model for public safety recruitment and retention pay adjustments, used by both fire and police departments.
  • Dr. Steve Lassitor, new superintendent of Pitt County Schools, appointed in November 2024, leading over 24,000 students and 3,000 employees. He was previously named Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year in 2015.
• He also wished Happy Valentine’s Day to his wife, daughter, assistant, and other staff.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: Agenda approved (4-0); Historic Preservation Commission appointment approved (4-0); Trust agreement resolution approved (4-0).
• Next Steps: Funding request for Horizons 2026 update in FY2026 budget; Greenfield Terrace Park construction to finish May 2025; sustainability coordinator recruitment underway; public safety retention model implementation.
• Council Comments: Councilmember Robinson congratulated ECU on achieving R1 research status; Councilmember Scully encouraged downtown support noting new parking plan and hotel opening February 26; Councilmember Blackburn highlighted youth public arts programs and a mural at West Greenville Police substation; Mayor Pro Tem Daniels honored Black History Month and local African American leaders; Mayor Connelly wished Happy Valentine’s Day. The meeting adjourned.