Greenville City Council Meeting - September 11, 2025\n\nThe Greenville City Council met on September 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers, Mayor P.J. Collie presiding, with six members present (Councilmember Daniels absent). The meeting included special recognitions, appointments, public hearings on four annexations, a Federal Transit Administration grant application, the 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), and a presentation and approval of a fire rescue shift schedule change. All votes were unanimous (5-0).\n\n### Special Recognitions\n- Vada Flowers (Public Works) was recognized for retirement after 29 years and 9 months of service as a refuse collector.\n- Neighborhood & Business Services Department received the National Community Development Association's John A. Sasso Award for its 2025 National Community Development Week activities.\n- Small Business Technical Assistance Program Participants: Nine businesses completed a 52-week development program and were recognized alongside program partner Monday Solutions Group.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- Agenda Approval: The agenda was amended to remove item 11 (Resolution Authorizing Condemnation for Corey Road Project) and add a presentation by Fire Rescue on a proposed shift schedule change. Motion passed 5-0.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- The public comment period had no registered speakers and no one from the audience spoke.\n- During public hearings: \n - Jim Walker (representing Bells Fork Village, Item 6) spoke in support of the annexation and answered council questions.\n - Michael Overton (representing Gateway West, LLC, Item 8) spoke in support, noting the property already has stormwater management.\n- No opposition speakers appeared for any public hearing.\n\n### Discussion Items\nPublic Hearings on Annexations (Items 5-8)\nCity Planner Chris Kelly presented each proposed annexation. All properties are in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) and under Section 6 of the city's charter, sanitary sewer can be provided even if annexation is denied. Each was approved 5-0 without opposition.\n- Item 5 (ABI Investments): 18.817 acres at the terminus of West Star Street; planned 42,000 sq ft warehouse; estimated tax value $4 million.\n- Item 6 (Bells Fork Village): 5.753 acres along Old Fire Tower Road; planned 72 multifamily apartment units; estimated tax value $14 million. Current zoning is OR (Office Residential). Councilmember Blackburn asked about the site plan and stormwater detention pond.\n- Item 7 (Christ Hope Church LLC): 14.35 acres on Charles Boulevard; planned 25,000 sq ft place of worship.\n- Item 8 (Gateway West LLC): 1.5661 acres at Stantonsburg Road and Gateway Drive; planned 50,000 sq ft hotel; estimated tax value $6 million. Current zoning is CG (General Commercial).\n\nItem 9 – FTA Section 5307 Grant for GREAT Transit\nDirector of Public Works Kevin Mulligan presented the grant application for $2.47 million in federal operating and capital assistance. Funds would support operations (salaries, benefits, building), ADA paratransit (approx. $500,000), preventive maintenance ($625,000), rolling stock ($660,000 for one bus replacement), and operations ($1.1 million local share, reduced by $475,000 state SMAP funds). Highlights included rollout of on-demand service (mid-October), new bus shelters and benches (first delivery November 15, 2025), and electronic fare system integration. Councilmember Blackburn expressed concern that only 25% of stops will have shelters, calling it "not good enough" and urging 100%. The city manager noted the on-demand system will reduce waiting times. The resolution was approved 5-0.\n\nItem 10 – 2024 CAPER Report\nProgram Manager Renee Skeen presented the draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for CDBG and HOME programs. Key figures: $886,000 CDBG received, $509,000 HOME received; $1.3 million expended on CDBG and $2 million on HOME (including rollover dollars). Goals included 9 housing rehabs, 180 rental units completed, and 233 homeless persons supported. 100% of rehabilitation contracts ($900,000) were awarded to minority-owned businesses. Five nonprofit partners funded. Public comment period opened August 16, 2025. Councilmember Blackburn asked about the 180 rental units (Arlington Trace) and the hotel/motel program for emergency shelter. Approved 5-0 with authorization to submit to HUD.\n\nItem 11 – Fire Rescue Shift Schedule Change\nDeputy Chief Jessica Harris presented the proposal to change from a 24/48 schedule (24 hours on, 48 hours off) to a 24/72 schedule (24 hours on, 72 hours off) to improve work-life balance, retention, and recruitment. Currently, 83% of 21,500 annual calls are EMS-related. Over the last four years, the department lost 99-100 employees, many within five years of hire. Under the new schedule, firefighters would work seven 24-hour shifts per month (168 hours) plus two optional work-group days (48 hours), compared to ten 24-hour shifts (240 hours) under the current schedule. Work groups would cover vacancies until staffing increases. Pay and benefits would be held harmless via adjusted base rate. Council expressed strong support, citing mental health and recovery benefits. The motion passed 5-0. Additionally, the city manager announced plans to bring a contract for design of a new fire station (Station 8) near South Central High School within two months and station renovations using fund balance.\n\n### City Manager's Report\n- City Manager Michael Cowan gave a "shout-out" to Margo Clark, Special Events Coordinator, highlighting her extensive role in major city events, including the 250th celebration, Little League Softball World Series, and Pirates Fest (named 2024 NC Festival/Event of the Year).\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- All seven voting items (agenda amendment, four annexations, FTA grant, CAPER, fire schedule) passed unanimously (5-0).\n- The fire rescue shift schedule change from 24/48 to 24/72 was approved, with implementation details to be reported back in January 2026.\n- The CAPER was approved and will be submitted to HUD by the September 30, 2025 deadline.\n- The city will apply for $2.47 million in FTA Section 5307 grant funds.\n- A design contract for a new fire station (Station 8) and station renovations are forthcoming.