OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Greenville, North Carolina/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – March 24, 2025

City Council — Monday, March 24, 2025
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, March 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:46

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:55

All right, good evening.

0:56

Um I'd like to call the March 24th, 2025 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order.

1:02

I'm Mayor PJ Connolly and presiding over tonight's meeting.

1:05

First, I'd like to call on Mayor Pro Tem Daniels for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:10

Bow our heads, please.

1:12

Heavenly Father, we come before you and Thanksgiving to thank you for another opportunity to come together.

1:18

Father, we thank you for our citizens.

1:21

We thank you for their safety and well-being.

1:23

Father, we thank you for each council member that we get to serve with Father, that we serve in truth and honesty and integrity.

1:31

And Father, we pray tonight that the decisions that we make will be pleasing in your sight.

1:35

In Jesus' name, amen.

1:36

Amen.

1:37

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:41

I pledge allegiance to the Line of the United States of America and to the Republic.

1:49

One nation under Godisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:58

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

2:00

Yes, sir.

2:01

Mayor Connolly.

2:02

Here.

2:02

Mayor Pro Tem Daniels.

2:04

Present.

2:04

Council Member Foreman.

2:05

Here.

2:06

Councilmember Blackburn.

2:08

Councilmember Scully.

2:09

Here.

2:10

Councilmember Robinson.

2:11

Here.

2:11

Councilmember Willis.

2:12

Here.

2:14

Thank you very much.

2:15

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

2:16

Mr.

2:17

Manager, any recommended changes?

2:18

I have no changes.

2:19

All right.

2:19

Mr.

2:20

Attorney.

2:21

Thank you, Mr.

2:21

Mayor.

2:22

Mayor and Council at your desk.

2:23

There's a resolution entitled Resolution Authorizing the City to File a Civil Action Against Camping World Property Incorporated to Remedy a Zoning Violation and to retain outside council to represent the city.

2:34

And I would ask Council to consider adding that to the agenda and number it number 10 on the agenda.

2:41

So moved.

2:42

Second.

2:43

All right.

2:43

Motion has been made by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Willis.

2:47

All those in favor say aye.

2:48

Aye.

2:49

Those opposed say nay.

2:50

Motion passes 6-0.

2:52

All right.

2:53

In an effort to retain one of our fine employees.

2:56

I'm going to skip the uh the special recognition.

3:02

Chief.

3:04

Just kidding.

3:04

We're gonna move on to special recognitions.

3:14

Or is this the ISO?

3:16

Yes, there's two chiefs in questions.

3:28

Good evening.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Transportation██████████10%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Community Engagement███████7%
Economic Development███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Animal Welfare█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – March 24, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on March 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions, public comments, consent agenda, a public hearing, presentations by boards and commissions, approval of a budget amendment, and a resolution authorizing a lawsuit against Camping World for a zoning violation. Key votes included unanimous approval of several items and a split vote (4‑2) on the Camping World resolution.

Special Recognitions

  • Greenville Fire/Rescue received the ISO Class 1 rating – less than 1% of U.S. fire departments achieve this. In North Carolina, only 33 of 1,082 departments hold a Class 1 rating, and only 14 are both accredited and Class 1; Greenville is the sole department among those 14 that also provides paramedic‑level fire‑based EMS.
  • Chief Ted Sauls was recognized for his 28‑year career with the Greenville Police Department and his retirement. Council members praised his leadership, community relationships, and contributions to the department.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Don Cavallini advocated for community benefit agreements to be required in future development deals. He cited the Taft project’s $1.2 million contribution to refurbish the Cupola building for the science museum and a $20,000 annual donation for ten years as a positive example.

Consent Calendar

Items 3, 4, and 6 were approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda. Item 5 was pulled for separate discussion.

  • Contract awards for mowing and landscape maintenance at Homestead Memorial Gardens (PWD Contract #12) and Greenwood Cemetery (PWD Contract #3).
  • Purchase of 15 new vehicles for the Police Department.

Discussion Items

  • Item 5 – Microtransit Software Contract (Spare): Councilmember Blackburn pulled this item for discussion. Public Works Director Kevin Mulligan explained the contract with Spare for on‑demand ride scheduling software. The service will begin in Zone 4 (north of the river) late summer 2025, with curb‑to‑curb pickups within the zone. The first‑year cost is $82,000; years 2‑3 are $61,500 annually. Extended transit hours (6 AM–8 PM weekdays and Saturday service) are also planned. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
  • Public Hearing – Major Modification to Economic Development Agreement with Taft Corporate Office, LLC: City Attorney Scott Dixon presented modifications to the 2022 agreement. Changes include removing a parking deck requirement, reducing housing units from 150 to 72, and reducing dedicated public parking from 35 to 15 spaces. Thomas Taft of Taft Group noted the project is rebranded as Brightleaf Towns, citing COVID and high construction costs. The modification was approved unanimously (6‑0). Council members thanked Taft for his investments, including the science museum relocation and affordable housing projects.
  • Presentations by Boards and Commissions:
    • Recreation and Parks Commission: Chair Deborah Shepherd reported on recommended funding for Wildwood Park (PARTF), Woodlawn Park (ADA grant), and the Wildwood–River Park North trail connection. The commission supported the department’s master plan and volunteer efforts.
    • Multimodal Transportation Commission: Vice Chair Kat Dale outlined the commission’s 2024 activities, including installing 13 new bike racks, serving on the Washington‑to‑Greenville Greenway steering committee, and participating in the NC Vision Zero Leadership Institute. Three priorities for 2025 were highlighted: improving infrastructure during road resurfacing, connecting developments through multi‑use paths and sidewalks, and advancing transit ridership and passenger rail.
  • Budget Ordinance Amendment #8: CFO Jacob Joyner presented the amendment, which establishes the Inspections Enterprise Fund, transfers funds for wayfinding signage, Woodlawn Park grants, police vehicles, League of Municipalities conference, departmental revenue adjustments, and shell building development. The city’s operating budget becomes $197.2 million. Approved unanimously (6‑0).
  • Resolution on Camping World: City Attorney introduced a resolution authorizing a civil action against Camping World for violating zoning ordinances (oversized flag). Councilmember Robinson opposed, stating it would be a “PR nightmare” and he supports the U.S. flag. Councilmember Willis also voiced opposition. The resolution passed 4‑2, with Robinson and Willis voting against.

City Manager’s Report

  • Megasite public information sessions announced for a potential industrial park between Greenville and Bethel: March 31 (Pitt County Agriculture Center), April 3 (A.G. Cox Middle School), April 8 (Wellcome Middle School), and April 17 (virtual).
  • Women’s History Month recognition: the city manager honored the Greenville Police Department’s Wellness Committee (Lynn Ponsuk, Molly Mews, Jenny Pitchford, Chelsea Nunnery) and five female city leaders (Valerie Shuregar, Danae Alexander, Lisa Kirby, Leah Futrell, Tiana Berryman).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda (items 3, 4, 6) unanimously.
  • Approved microtransit software contract (Spare) unanimously (6‑0).
  • Approved Major Modification to EDA with Taft Corporate Office, LLC unanimously (6‑0).
  • Approved Budget Ordinance Amendment #8 unanimously (6‑0).
  • Approved Resolution authorizing lawsuit against Camping World (4‑2); Councilmembers Robinson and Willis opposed.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. Um I'd like to call the March 24th, 2025 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order. I'm Mayor PJ Connolly and presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Mayor Pro Tem Daniels for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Bow our heads, please. Heavenly Father, we come before you and Thanksgiving to thank you for another opportunity to come together. Father, we thank you for our citizens. We thank you for their safety and well-being. Father, we thank you for each council member that we get to serve with Father, that we serve in truth and honesty and integrity. And Father, we pray tonight that the decisions that we make will be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the Line of the United States of America and to the Republic. One nation under Godisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Pro Tem Daniels. Present. Council Member Foreman. Here. Councilmember Blackburn. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager, any recommended changes? I have no changes. All right. Mr. Attorney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mayor and Council at your desk. There's a resolution entitled Resolution Authorizing the City to File a Civil Action Against Camping World Property Incorporated to Remedy a Zoning Violation and to retain outside council to represent the city. And I would ask Council to consider adding that to the agenda and number it number 10 on the agenda. So moved. Second. All right. Motion has been made by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Willis. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say nay.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com