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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2025

City Council — Monday, May 5, 2025
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, May 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:02:37

Original source
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1:36

Bless our time together.

1:38

Bless the decisions that we make.

1:41

May they be for the benefit of your people for the benefit of this community.

1:46

May we serve you in all that we do.

1:49

Amen.

1:50

Amen.

1:50

Amen.

1:51

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:54

Pledge allegiance to July States of America.

1:59

And to the Republicans.

2:14

Madam Clerk, you please call a roll.

2:16

Yes, sir.

2:16

Mayor Connolly.

2:17

Here.

2:18

Mayor Protect Daniels has let us know she will not be able to attend.

2:22

Councilmember Foreman?

2:24

Here.

2:24

Councilmember Blackburn.

2:26

Present.

2:26

Councilmember Scully.

2:27

Here.

2:28

Councilmember Robinson?

2:29

Here.

2:29

Councilmember Willis.

2:30

Here.

2:31

Right.

2:31

Mayor Connolly 4.

2:32

Thank you very much.

2:33

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

2:35

Mr.

2:36

Manager.

2:36

I have no changes, Mayor Alright.

2:39

So moved.

2:40

Second.

2:41

All right.

2:41

Motion's been made by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Councilmember Scully.

2:44

All those in favor say aye.

2:45

Aye.

2:47

Motion passes five zero.

2:48

We will move on to the public comment period.

2:50

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

2:53

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

2:59

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

3:02

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

3:07

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.

3:46

The community and the people we have met since then are what makes leaving Greenville so difficult.

3:52

But we'll soon do that in order to be nearer to and more involved in the lives of our kids and our grandkids and our great-grandkids.

5:00

And that's because I experienced the community benefits that come from investing and creating and sustaining parks and greenways and gymnasiums and river access and tournaments and boating and fishing opportunities and facilities and skate parks and nature centers and such.

5:21

I also saw how once established those initiatives begin and continue generating benefits year after year after year.

5:32

Take Elm Street Park as an example, you know, built back in 1951.

5:37

I suspect there were people in this community who opposed that project, thought it was a waste of money, and that the people who were proposing it were idiots.

5:48

But consider, if you will, the number of people who have or are or will utilize that part.

5:59

And the revenues that the Little League World Series Softball World Series brings to our community, and the positive national exposure, Greenville receives as a result of that.

6:12

Could anyone have possibly envisioned the benefit for this community that that part has given us and will continue to give us?

6:21

I also think about Wildwood's impact, and I'm grateful to the city and to the state and to Eddie Smith and the other donors for helping to make that all possible.

6:32

What a dynamic park.

6:33

I love I love seeing the support and progress continue and meeting people as I did Saturday, who have been there for only one time.

6:42

That's their first visit.

6:44

They are in awe of the beauty and the uniqueness of that piece of land.

6:49

What a gift to our city.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development████████████12%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%
Public Works███████████11%
Procedural███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Utilities Commission█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on May 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a public comment period, approval of consent and regular agenda items, new business on major infrastructure projects, a proposed FY2025-2026 budget presentation, and city manager's report with a lighting ceremony. All votes were 5-0 unless noted. Councilmember Daniels was absent.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 1-11 were approved en bloc except Item 6, which was pulled for discussion. The consent agenda passed 5-0.
  • Item 6 (Second Amendment to Management Agreement with Indigo Sports LLC for Bradford Creek Public Golf Course) was discussed: City staff reported that the golf course has gone from a $250,000 annual loss to a $150,000 profit under private management, with rounds increasing. The amendment was approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gary Fenton (former Parks & Recreation director) expressed strong support for parks and recreation investments, citing Elm Street Park and Wildwood Park as enduring community assets. He urged council to keep parks a priority, calling them "part of the cake itself."
  • Nikki Ragsdale (owner of A.G. in downtown Greenville) requested the council repeal or modify the Bar 2022 ordinance, which she said prohibits her business from selling liquor-based drinks despite being eligible for a state liquor license. She argued the ordinance is outdated for a vibrant downtown. Mayor & council noted that a workshop on Bar 2022 is scheduled for next month and that state law allows liquor as an ancillary use, though city ordinances may restrict it.
  • Kevin Morse (husband of Nikki Ragsdale) supported revising Bar 2022, noting that the current square footage cap (under 2,000 sq ft) makes it nearly unusable for existing businesses. He urged expanding or removing the cap.
  • Roseanne Davis called for a comprehensive tree ordinance to protect mature canopy trees, citing that Greenville is only 34% wooded—the lowest percentage among major NC cities. She urged modification of the Unified Development Ordinance to save existing trees and require native species.
  • Jill Tork (Founder/Chair, Friends of Greenville Greenways) also requested a comprehensive tree ordinance. She offered specific suggestions: mandated inch-for-inch replacement of specimen trees, at least 50% native species in new plantings, three canopy trees per 100 linear feet on streets, and hiring an urban forestry professional.
  • Stacey Moy (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) highlighted the sorority's 60 years of service and political awareness efforts. Mayor Connolly then read a proclamation declaring May 5, 2025, as Delta Day in Greenville. Council thanked the Deltas for their community work.
  • Wade Wilson expressed disappointment with Camping World for violating the city's flag ordinance (flagpole height) and lacking transparency. He urged the city to uphold the law.

Discussion Items

  • Item 12 (Town Common Bulkhead & Esplanade Project Construction Contract): Parks Planner Mark Nottingham presented the project: 1,600 ft of steel sheet pile bulkhead, boardwalks, plazas, a floating dock, and amphitheater upgrades. Construction bid from Trader Construction Company: $14,337,500; total budget including contingency and construction admin fees $18.5 million. Staff noted the bid came in nearly $10 million below initial estimates. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 13 (Professional Services Contract for Construction Administration - Town Common Bulkhead): Contract with Moffatt & Nichol for $538,554 for inspection, submittal review, and permit closeout. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 14 (Drainage Improvements & Stream Restoration at East Firetower Road): Civil Engineer Lynn Rayner presented the project to address undersized culverts flooding a major road (33,000 vehicles/day) and reduce flooding for 80-90 residences. Task order 1 with Kimley-Horn for design: $1.58 million. Also a resolution to accept a $1.5 million NC Department of Public Safety grant. Discussion: Director Kirby noted the $9.2 million FEMA BRIC grant for construction is at risk due to federal cancellation, but state HMGP funds (100% funded) may replace it. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 15 (Authorization to Extend Sewer to Pitt County Megasite): Assistant City Manager gave a detailed presentation on the proposed 3,300-acre megasite (owned by Weyerhaeuser) north of Greenville. The request was to authorize Greenville Utilities Commission to extend sewer without requiring annexation. Extensive community engagement (160 attendees at four meetings) and answers to FAQs were provided. Councilmembers expressed support for the economic development potential, noting job creation and regional impact, while emphasizing proactive community involvement and addressing concerns about flooding, buffers, and infrastructure costs. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 16 (Accept Donation of Historic Fire Tower Property): Assistant City Attorney Scott Dixon presented the donation of a 110-foot fire tower on a 0.018-acre parcel at 0 E. Fire Tower Road, valued at $520,000, for use as a public art landmark. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 17 (Presentation of FY2025-2026 Proposed Budget): CFO Jacob Joyner presented the $183.4 million city operating budget (general fund $118.9 million). Key features: property tax rate maintained at 39.54 cents (lowest among peer cities), 4% average wage increase for employees, 401k match increased to 4%, 6 new fire/EMS positions, 8 new police officers (federally funded initially), $250,000 for pedestrian safety, $200,000 for ADA/sidewalk expansion, $200,000 initial affordable housing investment (goal to reach $1M recurring), $800,000 for beautification, and $3.1M for pavement management. Stormwater rates unchanged; sanitation rates increased to $19.25/month. Councilmember Foreman asked about revenue neutral tax rate but no change was proposed. Council welcomed the presentation; adoption scheduled for June 12 after a public hearing on June 9.
  • Item 18 (Budget Ordinance Amendment #10): A technical amendment adjusting various funds for the current year, including reclassifications, grant fund recognition, and establishing the Town Common Bulkhead project fund. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (all 5-0): Consent agenda (except Item 6 separately), Items 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 18.
  • Received presentation on the FY2025-2026 budget; public hearing set for June 9, 2025, adoption on June 12, 2025.
  • Lighting Ceremony: City Manager unveiled new exterior lighting on City Hall, capable of changing colors for holidays, events, and ECU promotions.
  • Upcoming: Workshop on Bar 2022 next month; continued discussion on tree ordinance; June workshop request from Councilmember Willis on GUC charter relationship.

Meeting Transcript

Bless our time together. Bless the decisions that we make. May they be for the benefit of your people for the benefit of this community. May we serve you in all that we do. Amen. Amen. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to July States of America. And to the Republicans. Madam Clerk, you please call a roll. Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Protect Daniels has let us know she will not be able to attend. Councilmember Foreman? Here. Councilmember Blackburn. Present. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson? Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. Right. Mayor Connolly 4. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager. I have no changes, Mayor Alright. So moved. Second. All right. Motion's been made by Councilmember Blackburn, second by Councilmember Scully. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passes five zero. We will move on to the public comment period. The public comment period is a period reserved for comments by the public. Items that were scheduled to be the subject of a public hearing conducted this meeting or another meeting during the same week. A total of 30 minutes is allocated with each individual being allowed no more than three minutes. Individuals who registered 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. The community and the people we have met since then are what makes leaving Greenville so difficult. But we'll soon do that in order to be nearer to and more involved in the lives of our kids and our grandkids and our great-grandkids. And that's because I experienced the community benefits that come from investing and creating and sustaining parks and greenways and gymnasiums and river access and tournaments and boating and fishing opportunities and facilities and skate parks and nature centers and such. I also saw how once established those initiatives begin and continue generating benefits year after year after year. Take Elm Street Park as an example, you know, built back in 1951.

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