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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025

City Council — Monday, August 11, 2025
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, August 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:25

Original source
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0:52

All right, good evening.

0:53

I'd like to call the August 11, 2025 meeting of the Greenville City Council Order.

0:57

I'm Mayor P.J.

0:58

Connolly, but presiding over tonight's meeting.

0:59

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

1:05

Thank you, Mayor.

1:11

This is very frequently I have this book that I read from every day.

1:18

And it just so happens that today's uh entry actually is I believe uh very suitable for a moment of reflection before we start our um meeting.

1:28

It is from the Buddha, and it says, May all beings, may beings all live happily and safe, and may their hearts rejoice within themselves.

1:39

Whatever there may be with breadth of life, whether they be frail or very strong, without exception, be they long or short, or middle size, or be they big or small, or thick, or visible or invisible, or whether they dwell far or they dwell near those that are here, those seeking to exist, may all beings rejoice within themselves.

2:05

Let no one bring about another's ruin and not despise in any way or place.

2:12

Let them not wish each other any ill from provocation or from enmity.

2:18

Thank you.

2:21

Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.

2:26

I pledge allegiance.

2:43

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

2:45

Yes, sir.

2:46

Mayor Connolly.

2:47

Here.

2:47

Mayor Fortin Daniels of Ludes know that she will not be attending this evening.

2:51

Councilmember Foreman.

2:52

Here.

2:54

Councilmember Blackburn.

2:55

Present.

2:56

Councilmember Scully.

2:57

Here.

2:58

Councilmember Robinson.

2:59

Here.

2:59

Councilmember Willis.

3:00

Here.

3:01

Mayor Connolly of the Corn.

3:02

Thank you very much.

3:03

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

3:05

Mr.

3:05

Manager, thank you for attention to the mayor.

3:07

All right.

3:08

Do I have a motion to approve?

3:09

So moved.

3:10

Second.

3:10

All right.

3:10

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

3:13

All those in favor say aye.

3:14

Aye.

3:15

Those opposed say nay.

3:16

Motion passes.

3:17

Move on to the public comment period.

3:18

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

3:20

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

3:24

Shall not be discussed.

3:25

Total 30 minutes is allocated with each individual being allowed no more than three minutes.

3:29

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

4:11

Okay.

4:11

All right.

4:15

All right.

4:15

Seeing none we'll close public comment period.

4:17

Move on to the consent agenda.

4:19

Mr.

4:19

Manager.

4:20

Thank you, Mayor.

4:21

Item number one of the consent agenda, resolution amending the city of Greenville personnel policies, policies.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████17%
Youth Programs█████████████████17%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Engagement████████8%
Fire Protection███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Alcohol Regulation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on August 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connolly presided, with Councilmember Fortin Daniels absent. All other six members were present. The meeting included a public hearing, approval of several consent agenda items after discussion, and adoption of a budget amendment. Councilmembers also addressed recent community violence, honored staff for the Little League Softball World Series, and expressed condolences.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1 – Resolution Amending Personnel Policies: Pulled by Councilmember Willis for discussion. Changes include a new wellness equipment purchase program, alignment of computer and wellness purchase programs, and clarification of leave policy language (changing "can" to "shall" for vacation-to-sick leave transfers after two years). Approved 5-0.
  • Item 3 – Utility Easement for NCDOT: Pulled by Councilmember Blackburn. A small easement (4 feet into Homestead Memorial Gardens Cemetery) for a utility pole guy wire anchor, not impacting any graves. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 9 – Creation of Special Projects Charitable Gift Fund: Pulled by Councilmember Blackburn. Expands the existing Wildwood Park Charitable Gift Fund to accept donations for various city projects (parks, affordable housing, etc.). Councilmember Willis recused himself (board member of Community Foundation of NC East). Approved 5-0.
  • Remaining consent items (Items 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11) approved 5-0 as a block.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public registered to speak during the Public Comment Period or the Public Hearing.

Discussion Items

  • Item 12 – 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan Public Hearing: Director Tiana Berriman presented the plan, which is year three of the five-year consolidated plan. Total CDBG funding: ~$850,000; HOME funds: ~$500,000. Priorities include new construction, rental development, owner-occupied rehab, down payment assistance, infrastructure, and demolition. Councilmembers commended staff for "doing more with less" and emphasized the need for homeownership opportunities. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 13 – Ordinance to Allow Alcohol at Sheppard Memorial Library: Assistant City Attorney Donald Phillips explained the ordinance permits malt beverages and unfortified wine at designated events approved by the Library Board of Trustees. Councilmember Blackburn expressed surprise it wasn't already allowed. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 14 – Ordinance Amending Fire & Rescue Fees: CFO Jacob Joyner presented removal of the $50,000 annual cap on extra-territorial fire protection fees for the industrial service park, due to the fire department achieving Tier 1 insurance status and increased costs. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 15 – Contract Award for Joint City/GUC Classification & Compensation Study: HR Director Leah Utterell presented. Siegel Consulting (with prior city experience) was selected from 14 proposals for a fixed fee up to $355,000 (split 50/50 with GUC). The study will run August 2025–January 2026, with employee questionnaires and focus groups. Councilmembers highlighted the need to address public safety and public works compensation. Approved 5-0.
  • Item 16 – Budget Ordinance Amendment #1: CFO Jacob Joyner outlined multiple fund adjustments including $350,000 for street lights/cameras, $3.1M for pavement management, $450,000 for affordable housing, and $1.7M for CDBG/HOME grants. Total operating budget adjusted to $187.9 million. Approved 5-0.

Councilmember Comments

  • Councilmember Foreman highlighted recent gun violence (four shootings, three deaths in one week) and urged addressing root causes like housing and food insecurity.
  • Councilmember Blackburn named victims: Emiliano Gutierrez Bovial (13), Kiaray Cunningham (17), and Kellen Dwayne Williams (42). Noted 13 killings this year, five victims under 20, and called for community-wide positive response.
  • Councilmember Willis announced expanded mental health access at the city health clinic (now two providers), congratulated the Little League Softball World Series and the Police Athletic League summer camp.
  • Councilmember Scully offered condolences to Mayor Pro Tem Daniels (loss of her sister Nora Parker), thanked staff for the softball series, and urged support for downtown businesses on Dickinson Avenue.
  • Councilmember Robinson praised youth programs (Jackie Robinson Baseball League, Boys & Girls Club), thanked volunteers for the softball series, and reminded the community to be patient with returning ECU students. He also attended Nora Parker's celebration of life.
  • Mayor Connolly thanked ECU for hosting softball teams in dorms, praised Little League International, and encouraged mentorship to reduce youth violence.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent items (1,3,9) individually approved 5-0; remaining consent items approved 5-0.
  • 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan approved 5-0.
  • Ordinance allowing alcohol at Sheppard Memorial Library approved 5-0.
  • Ordinance removing $50,000 cap on fire protection fees approved 5-0.
  • Contract with Siegel Consulting for classification/compensation study approved 5-0.
  • Budget Ordinance Amendment #1 approved 5-0.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:09 PM by unanimous vote.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the August 11, 2025 meeting of the Greenville City Council Order. I'm Mayor P.J. Connolly, but presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Marion Blackburn for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mayor. This is very frequently I have this book that I read from every day. And it just so happens that today's uh entry actually is I believe uh very suitable for a moment of reflection before we start our um meeting. It is from the Buddha, and it says, May all beings, may beings all live happily and safe, and may their hearts rejoice within themselves. Whatever there may be with breadth of life, whether they be frail or very strong, without exception, be they long or short, or middle size, or be they big or small, or thick, or visible or invisible, or whether they dwell far or they dwell near those that are here, those seeking to exist, may all beings rejoice within themselves. Let no one bring about another's ruin and not despise in any way or place. Let them not wish each other any ill from provocation or from enmity. Thank you. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Fortin Daniels of Ludes know that she will not be attending this evening. Councilmember Foreman. Here. Councilmember Blackburn. Present. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. Mayor Connolly of the Corn. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager, thank you for attention to the mayor. All right. Do I have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All right. Motion has been made by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Robinson. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say nay. Motion passes. 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 a public hearing conducted at this meeting or another meeting during the same week. Shall not be discussed. Total 30 minutes is allocated with each individual being allowed no more than three minutes.

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