Greenville City Council Meeting – September 8, 2025

The Greenville City Council met on September 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connolly presided, with all council members present (Mayor Pro Tem Tim Daniels, Councilmembers Foreman, Blackburn, Scully, Robinson, and Willis). The meeting included a public comment period, approval of a consent agenda with two pulled items, a lease agreement with East Carolina University for the North Recreation Complex, a budget ordinance amendment, and preview of the upcoming September 11 agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–18 were approved except for Item 9 (Interlocal Agreement with Pitt County for Animal Shelter Services) and Item 15 (2026 Meeting Schedule), which were pulled for separate discussion. The consent agenda passed 6–0.
• Item 9 – Resolution approving an interlocal agreement with Pitt County for animal shelter services. Police Chief Richard Tendall explained the agreement provides 10 large and 10 small pins for $4,000/month ($200 per cage). He emphasized the shelter is a last resort; the city's Animal Protective Services first seeks rescues and adoptions. The council commended the progressive approach. Approved 6–0.
• Item 15 – Approval of the proposed 2026 schedule of city council meetings. Councilmember Blackburn suggested moving the workshop from the first Monday (before the 6 PM meeting) to the third Monday to allow more flexibility during the workday. After discussion, council opted to keep the current structure (workshop before the first Monday meeting), noting that the lengthy workshop that day was not typical. The schedule was approved 6–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jerry McCroy – Expressed strong opposition to the city's legal action against Camping World regarding the display of a large American flag. He accused four council members of wasting tax dollars and making a political statement, and warned they could face political defeat if they did not change course.
• Dr. Marion Swinker (retired physician, Sierra Club member) – Spoke in support of the upcoming Uniform Development Code (UDO), particularly sections on trees. She cited a Toronto study showing property values dropped proportionally to tree loss, and a 14% decrease in energy consumption in houses with shaded south-facing orientations. Stressed the economic benefits of retaining trees.
• Lisa Mogg (Sierra Club member) – Presented research on psychological benefits of trees: in Portland, 100 trees planted were associated with one fewer premature death; in California, more tree cover correlated with better health, lower obesity, and higher social cohesion; in London, higher street tree density was linked to lower antidepressant prescriptions; in Baltimore, tree cover increased social capital; and in Portland, 100 trees planted correlated with 24 fewer violent crimes the following year. Urged council to adopt the Environmental Advisory Commission recommendations.
• Amanda Muir (Friends of Greenville Greenways board member) – Requested adoption of a comprehensive tree ordinance, emphasizing Section 5 of the draft UDO. She urged council to review and support mandates for tree replacements, hiring an urban forestry professional, and educating developers on cost savings from retaining trees.
• Jeff Monaco (Chair, Cypress Group of NC Sierra Club) – Supported the Environmental Advisory Commission recommendations. Emphasized the importance of overstory trees (oaks, maples, beeches, sycamores) over ornamental trees, and urged the city to incentivize planting overstory trees in new developments and parking lots, especially in newly annexed farmland.
• Jackie and Samuel Cannon – Thanked the council for declaring September Sickle Cell Awareness Month. They promoted a blood drive on September 20 at Moise Chapel Church in honor of their son, who passed from sickle cell disease. Urged blood donations, especially for African Americans. Mr. Cannon also complimented the council and said he would be voting again.

Discussion Items

• Lease Agreement with East Carolina University for North Recreation Complex (Item 19) – Executive Director Don Octagan and Andrew Smith (President & CEO, Visit Greenville NC) presented. The 50-year lease (with one 49-year renewal option, not to exceed 99 years) grants the city exclusive use of the 128-acre complex for rectangle field sports. Key terms: initial $3 million cash outlay, annual payments of $300,000 (years 1–10), $250,000 (years 11–20), and $150,000 (years 21–50), totaling $13 million over 50 years. The city will fund the initial payment from general fund capital reserve, CVB hotel tax, and other sources. Annual lease payments will be funded by tournament/field rental revenues. The lease allows the city to make improvements (e.g., four additional fields, estimated $7–7.5 million from CVB funds). Economic impact: conservative estimate of 75,000 additional hotel room nights and $40–42 million annual visitor spending. Community benefits include increased recreational access for residents. The lease was approved 6–0.
• Budget Ordinance Amendment #2 (Item 20) – CFO Jacob Joiner presented an amendment increasing the overall operating budget to $187.9 million. Major changes: $3.9 million increase to the general fund, $1.8 million to vehicle replacement fund, $1.5 million to transit fund, $3 million to sanitation fund. It also establishes a $14 million budget for the sports complex project (covering the full 50-year lease), appropriates $200,000 for sidewalk and ADA improvements, recognizes $4,000 in donated funds for police backpack program, and appropriates $140,000 for advertising. The amendment was approved 6–0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 1–18, except 9 and 15) – Approved 6–0.
• Item 9 (Animal Shelter Interlocal) – Approved 6–0.
• Item 15 (2026 Meeting Schedule) – Approved 6–0.
• Item 19 (ECU North Recreation Complex Lease) – Approved 6–0.
• Item 20 (Budget Ordinance Amendment #2) – Approved 6–0.
• Review of September 11 Agenda – Council approved adding an item on the 2472 staffing model for the fire rescue department and removing item 11 (resolution authorizing condemnation for Cory Road) due to a resolution being reached. Motion passed 6–0.
• Appointments Preview – City Manager noted upcoming appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission, Housing Authority, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission, to be considered on September 11.
• Councilmember Comments – Councilmember Robinson praised the sports complex and the "50 and 10" affordable housing initiative (50 homes in 10 years) from the Breakfast Club, spurred by Parker Overton. Councilmember Scully expressed excitement about the complex north of the river, thanked teachers, and encouraged support for small businesses on Dickinson Avenue despite construction. Councilmember Foreman commended the Breakfast Club's responsiveness to homelessness. Councilmember Blackburn thanked Carr Citizens Against Racism and NOTRA for a community forum. Mayor Connolly and others noted the successful public comment period and the significance of the lease agreement.