Greenville City Council Meeting - April 7, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on April 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognitions, a public comment, approval of consent agenda items, a contested annexation vote, approval of a public art mural, an affordable housing update, a solid waste rate plan, and a budget amendment. The council also discussed future agenda items and shared community announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda (6-0).
• Approved Consent Agenda items 4-8 unanimously: Resolution of Intent to Close a Portion of Grande Avenue; Resolution Accepting Dedication of Rights-of-Way and Easements for Savannah Place, Section 4, Phase 2; Series Resolution for up to $70,000,000 Greenville Utilities Commission Combined Enterprise System Revenue Bonds, Series 2025; Amendment #1 to Task Order #1 for Easement Valuations and Negotiations for the St. Andrews Drive Critical Infrastructure Protection and Stream Restoration Project; Various Tax Refunds Greater Than $100.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrea Pike spoke about the need for improved tree canopy preservation and planting in Greenville. She noted that Greenville's tree canopy is 34%, lower than many other North Carolina cities, and urged the council to prioritize tree retention during development, citing examples from other cities with stronger ordinances and urban foresters.

Discussion Items

• Old Business – Annexation of Mann Farm, Lot 1 (Item 9): Chief Planner Shante Gooby presented a detailed overview of the annexation process, including the property's history, development plans, traffic circulation, and crash data. The property is located at the northwestern corner of East 10th Street and Evolve Way. Councilmember Blackburn expressed concerns about East 10th Street being at 92% capacity and high crash rates (5 crashes per month, with 4 serious or fatal in some months). He initially moved to deny but withdrew after discussion. Councilmember Foreman stated her opposition, emphasizing safety and the need to prioritize citizen concerns. After further debate, the annexation was approved 5-1 (Councilmember Foreman opposed).

• New Business – Public Art on Elizabeth Street Roundabout (Item 10): Holly Garriott from Emerge Arts Council presented a proposal for a mural by local artist Sherry White on the retaining wall of the roundabout at Elizabeth Street, Albemarle Avenue, and West Fifth Street. The project was funded through community efforts and involved Black creatives of Pitt County in the selection process. The council approved the request unanimously.

• New Business – Affordable Housing Update (Item 11): Neighborhood Business Services Director Tiana Berryman presented a 10-year plan to increase city investment in affordable housing. The proposal includes a phased increase in annual appropriation from $200,000 in year one to $1 million by year five, creating a revolving fund for infill development. The goal is to produce 50 new homes for first-time homebuyers over the decade. Council members praised the plan as bold and noted the need to leverage multiple developers. The presentation was informational; no vote was taken on the plan itself.

• New Business – Solid Waste Services 3-Year Plan (Item 12): Public Works Director Kevin Mulligan and CFO Jacob Joyner presented the plan. The city currently charges $16/month for weekly refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection, the lowest rate among comparable cities. Costs have risen significantly (truck prices up 50% in 10 years). Two rate options were presented: Option 1 (no cart replacement) increasing to $20 by 2028; Option 2 (with cart replacement) increasing to $21.50 by 2028. Staff recommended Option 2. Council approved Option 2 unanimously (6-0).

• New Business – Budget Ordinance Amendment #9 (Item 13): CFO Jacob Joyner presented the amendment, which appropriates $44,000 for ADA website upgrades and recognizes $1.2 million in proceeds from the sale of Lincoln Park homes for affordable housing. Approved unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Annexation (Mann Farm Lot 1): Approved 5-1 (Councilmember Foreman opposed).
• Public Art Mural: Approved unanimously.
• Solid Waste Rate Plan (Option 2 with cart replacement): Approved unanimously (6-0). Rates will increase to $19.25 in FY2026, $20.50 in FY2027, and $21.50 in FY2028.
• Budget Ordinance Amendment #9: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Future Agenda: Council directed staff to bring an overview of the 500-foot rule for bars to a future workshop for discussion.
• City Manager’s Report: Reviewed the April 10, 2025, council agenda, including two public hearings on rezoning and a substantial amendment to the 2024 annual action plan.
• Council Comments: Included recognitions for the Citizens Academy graduates, Pirate Fest (record attendance), and community events; Councilmember Scully raised the issue of the 500-foot rule for bars; Councilmember Willis shared a personal remembrance of Leo Chen, emphasizing mental health awareness.