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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – January 8, 2026

City Council — Thursday, January 8, 2026
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, January 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 43:47

Original source
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0:59

All right, good evening.

1:01

I'd like to call the January 8th, 2026 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order.

1:05

I'm Mayor P.J.

1:06

Conley for presiding over tonight's meeting.

1:08

First, I'd like to call on Mayor Pro Tem Tony Foreman for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:13

Everyone, let's pray.

1:15

Uh, dear Lord, uh, I ask you to bless our city, our county, our state, and the Lord, please this country with all that we have going on.

1:26

I ask you to bless and to touch the hearts of all the people that we have in leadership positions, that we remember to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, because in your words you said love never fails, and that we do that by Lord, acts of service, and listening to people, and demonstrating that we have listened by putting people over parties, positions, prosperity, or any other desires of personal value.

1:58

I ask that in your name of Jesus.

2:00

We play.

2:01

Amen.

2:02

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:07

I think that's to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

2:17

Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

2:28

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

2:29

Yes, sir.

2:30

Mayor Connolly.

2:31

Here.

2:31

Mayor Purtime Foreman.

2:33

Here.

2:34

Councilmember Jones.

2:35

Here.

2:35

Councilmember Hardy?

2:37

Here.

2:37

Councilmember Scully.

2:38

Here.

2:39

Councilmember Robinson.

2:40

Here.

2:40

Councilmember Willis.

2:41

Here.

2:42

All right.

2:42

Mayor Conley of a cross.

2:43

Thank you very much.

2:43

Now we'll move on to the approval of tonight's agenda.

2:45

Mr.

2:46

Manager.

2:46

Have no changes.

2:47

Mr.

2:47

Attorney.

2:49

All right.

2:51

Second.

2:51

All right.

2:52

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

2:54

All those in favor say aye.

2:55

Aye.

2:56

Opposed say nay.

2:57

Motion passes six zero.

2:58

We'll move on to special recognitions.

3:11

Jennifer's retired.

3:29

So tonight I have the honor of recognizing Jennifer Mills for her retirement from the City of Greenville from the public works department.

3:38

I'd like to just tell you a little bit about Jennifer, and I'm telling you, the awesome words that your co-workers had to say.

3:45

This is awesome.

3:47

Jennifer Mills began her career with the City of Greenville in June of 1992.

3:52

I was like right in high school.

3:55

As a clerk typist.

5:00

Jennifer recently retired with 33 and a half years, God bless you, during which she provided outstanding service and assistance, mentored fellow employees, and set a standard of kindness and professionalism for all of us to follow.

5:18

And Jennifer, let me just say, in many ways, most ways, you are the glue of that department.

5:27

Holding things together and keeping everybody straight.

5:31

And I I feel sorry for whoever has to take your shoes because you have done one outstanding job for the city of Greenville, and I congratulate you on your retirement, and I hope your retirement has all types of happiness for you.

5:45

Congratulations.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Zoning And Land Use███████████████████19%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Historic Preservation███3%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Meeting – January 8, 2026

The Greenville City Council met on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Conley presided, with Mayor Pro Tem Tonya Foreman and Councilmembers Jones, Hardy, Scully, Robinson, and Willis present. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included approval of two rezoning ordinances, appointment of council committee members, recognition of two retirees, and reports from city staff.

Special Recognitions

  • Jennifer Mills – Retiree from Public Works Department after 33.5 years of service. Mayor Conley and staff praised her as the “glue” of the department.
  • Felix Monterrosa – Master Police Officer retiring after 27 years with the Greenville Police Department. His career included roles as school resource officer, motor officer, and field training officer. He will return as a reserve officer.

Public Comments

No registered speakers; no members of the public came forward. The 30-minute period was closed without comment.

Appointments to City Council Committees

  • Audit & Investment Committee: Mayor Pro Tem Foreman, Councilmember Scully, Councilmember Willis (motion by Councilmember Robinson, second by Jones; approved 6-0).
  • Joint Pay & Benefits Committee: Councilmember Jones and Councilmember Hardy (motion by Robinson, second by Foreman; approved 6-0).
  • Taxi Cab Appeal Board: Councilmember Jones (motion by Foreman, second by Hardy; approved 6-0).

Public Hearings

Rezoning – Mallory & Evans Development (9.0668 acres, County Home Road)

  • City Planner Chris Kelly presented: requested rezoning from R6A (medium-density multifamily) to R6 (high-density multifamily). The site could increase from 50–60 units to 110–117 units. Traffic net increase of 386 trips per day, with County Home Road operating at 68.5% capacity (from 66.2%) and Charles Boulevard at 71.8% (from 71%). Stormwater requirements apply; no flood hazard. Staff recommended approval; Planning & Zoning Commission voted 5-1 in favor.
  • Applicant representative Steve Sproul spoke in favor. No opposition.
  • Councilmember Hardy expressed support, noting two exits and connectivity. Motion to approve (Hardy, second Willis) passed 6-0.

Rezoning – Dickinson Higgs Holdings (0.8231 acres, Dickinson Avenue & Pennsylvania Avenue)

  • Councilmember Willis recused himself due to financial interest as a business partner in the project.
  • Chris Kelly presented: requested rezoning from CDF (Downtown Commercial Fringe) to CD (Downtown Commercial) for the historic Higgs House. The site could accommodate a 4,800 sq ft private event center plus four overnight rental bedrooms. Traffic net increase of 14 trips per day. Stormwater rules apply; no flood hazard. Staff and Planning & Zoning Commission (unanimous) recommended approval.
  • Applicant Katherine Ross spoke in favor, outlining plans for historic renovation and community gathering space. She noted discussions with neighbors. No opposition.
  • Councilmembers expressed enthusiasm for historic preservation and community use. Motion to approve (Willis, second Robinson) passed 6-0.

City Manager's Report

  • Fire Chief Anderson recognized for the response to a large warehouse fire on December 28, 2025, on the 300 block of Martin Street. The 125,000 sq ft structure had heavy fire conditions; defensive operations prevented spread to a nearby warehouse 20 feet away. Firefighters worked over 35 hours. Assistance from Red Oak, Winterville, and other volunteer departments. Staffed stations to maintain city coverage.

City Attorney's Report

  • Assistant City Attorney Scott Dixon was selected as a 2026 honoree for ECU Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Leadership Awards.

Comments from Mayor and Council

  • Councilmember Robinson welcomed Boy Scout troops from Troop 9 and Troop 46 and encouraged civic participation.
  • Councilmember Scully congratulated retirees and shared that Officer Monterrosa once won a dance competition. Praised fire rescue and the Higgs House project.
  • Councilmember Willis announced JH Rose basketball tournament win, the Police Citizens Academy (registration open), MLK Jr. Day community unity breakfast (Jan 19, 7:30 AM, Chamber of Commerce), and the council planning retreat (Jan 30-31).
  • Councilmember Hardy noted ECU classes restarting Monday, announced a video to educate on the Hawk pedestrian system, and highlighted Wildwood Park and wood duck boxes built by Boy Scouts.
  • Councilmember Jones extended Founders Day greetings to NPHC organizations and recognized Nursing Home Activities & Recreation Week (Jan 19-23).
  • Mayor Pro Tem Foreman thanked public safety employees and looked forward to the planning retreat.
  • Mayor Conley wished his wife a happy birthday, reminded of MLK events at Pitt Community College and the unity breakfast, and thanked all city employees.

Key Outcomes

  • Agenda approved 6-0.
  • Committee appointments approved 6-0 for all three committees.
  • Rezoning for Mallory & Evans Development (R6A to R6) approved 6-0.
  • Rezoning for Dickinson Higgs Holdings (CDF to CD) approved 6-0 (Councilmember Willis recused).
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 PM.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening. I'd like to call the January 8th, 2026 meeting of the Greenville City Council to order. I'm Mayor P.J. Conley for presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Mayor Pro Tem Tony Foreman for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone, let's pray. Uh, dear Lord, uh, I ask you to bless our city, our county, our state, and the Lord, please this country with all that we have going on. I ask you to bless and to touch the hearts of all the people that we have in leadership positions, that we remember to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, because in your words you said love never fails, and that we do that by Lord, acts of service, and listening to people, and demonstrating that we have listened by putting people over parties, positions, prosperity, or any other desires of personal value. I ask that in your name of Jesus. We play. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I think that's to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Purtime Foreman. Here. Councilmember Jones. Here. Councilmember Hardy? Here. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. All right. Mayor Conley of a cross. Thank you very much. Now we'll move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager. Have no changes. Mr. Attorney. All right. Second. All right. Motion's been made by Councilmember Scully, second by Councilmember Willis. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Motion passes six zero. We'll move on to special recognitions. Jennifer's retired. So tonight I have the honor of recognizing Jennifer Mills for her retirement from the City of Greenville from the public works department.

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