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Record of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - February 23, 2026

City Council — Monday, February 23, 2026
BodyGreenville, North Carolina
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, February 23, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:40:44

Original source
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1:35

Good evening.

1:36

I'd like to call the February 23rd, 2026 meeting of the Greenville City Council to Order.

1:41

I'm Mayor P.

1:41

J.

1:41

Connolly to be presiding over tonight's meeting.

1:43

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

1:50

Mayor, thank you.

1:51

I hope all you will join me in prayer.

1:53

So we bow our heads.

1:54

Heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful day and for the life we live.

1:58

Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives.

2:01

Thank you for your goodness and the many blessings we have received, both acknowledged and unknown.

2:06

Thank you for our families, our relatives, our friends, colleagues, and citizens.

2:09

Thank you for the many employees and staff who serve us and the citizens of Greenville.

2:14

Thank you for those I serve with on this council.

2:17

Thank you for your great love and care and infinite mercy and grace.

2:20

I ask that you give each of us the experience, wisdom, discernment to properly consider all views and opinions on the issues that come before us.

2:28

I ask that you give us each patience and perseverance and guide us as we consider and decide what is the best decision for the citizens of Greenville on the issues that come before us.

2:43

And finally, Father, I thank you for another day.

2:45

Use me as you will.

2:47

In your precious name we pray.

2:48

Amen.

2:50

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:54

Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for Roman stands.

3:14

Yes, sir.

3:14

Mayor Connolly.

3:16

Here.

3:16

Mayor Pratem Foreman.

3:17

Here.

3:18

Councilmember Jones.

3:19

Here.

3:19

Councilmember Hardy.

3:20

Here.

3:21

Councilmember Scully.

3:22

Here.

3:22

Councilmember Robinson.

3:24

Here.

3:24

Councilmember Willis.

3:25

Here.

3:25

All right, Mayor Connelly, we have a forum.

3:27

Thank you very much.

3:27

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

3:29

Mr.

3:29

Manager, any recommended changes?

3:30

Have no changes, Mayor.

3:31

So motion to approve.

3:32

Motion approved.

3:33

Second.

3:34

All right.

3:38

Opposed say nay.

3:40

Motion passes 6-0.

3:42

All right, we'll move on to the public comment period.

3:44

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

3:46

Items that were or scheduled to be the subject of the public hearing conducted this the same meeting or another meeting during the same week shall not be discussed.

3:52

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

4:07

Madam Clerk, our first speaker.

4:12

All right.

4:12

Anyone that would like to speak during the public comment period, please come forward, say that your name for the record.

5:00

So you all should be presented with a handout that's going to talk a little bit about the road quality there, the improvements that we hope to see.

5:04

We think that this is a strategic investment from the city.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation██████████████████████████████████34%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Transportation Safety████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Short Term Rentals██████6%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Health█████5%
Community Engagement█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Greenville City Council Regular Meeting - February 23, 2026

The Greenville City Council met on February 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor P.J. Connolly presided. The meeting included a public hearing, presentations on the East Carolina Research and Innovation Campus, police statistics, and transit updates. Several agenda items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • An unidentified speaker (likely an ECU Student Government Association representative) presented a handout and advocated for road improvements in the Truna neighborhood (District 3). He cited a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 68–72 in the neighborhood versus a citywide average of 82, and argued that investing in roads would improve property values, safety, and neighborhood quality.
  • Ann Maxwell, representing the Tar University Neighborhood Association (Truna), expressed support for the road improvements and called for better sidewalks (noting many stop mid-block), bike lanes, stronger minimum housing standards, and continued collaboration between students and permanent residents. She referenced a 2004 task force on neighborhood preservation.

Public Hearing – Annexation of 43 Apartments, LLC Property

City Planner Chris Kelly presented the proposal to annex 145.2 acres along West 5th Street and north of B's Barbeque Road. The property is in the ETJ and is expected to yield 192 multifamily units and 50,000 square feet of medical office, with an estimated tax value of $60 million. The development will require 10-year stormwater detention in the Harris Mill Run watershed. Councilmembers expressed concerns about traffic, particularly at the B's Barbeque intersection, but found the project in character with the area. The public hearing had no speakers in favor or opposition. The council approved annexation by a vote of 6–0.

Discussion Items

  • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for East Carolina Research and Innovation Campus (Intersect East): City Attorney Scott Dixon presented the agreement between the City and Greentown Properties, Inc. (an ECU foundation affiliate). The project is a public-private partnership with ECU, Pitt County, and GUC to redevelop the warehouse district in West Greenville (a Qualified Census Tract). Phase two includes a digital transformation center, commercial/light industrial space, incubator space, and relocation of Pitt County Economic Development. Each coalition partner commits up to $150,000 per year for five years, contingent on all partners approving. The city’s support begins only after phase two completion (target Q1 2028). The MOU was approved 6–0. Councilmember Hardy disclosed a prior internship with a subcontractor (TA Loving Construction) but had no conflict of interest. Councilmembers praised the partnership and economic development potential.
  • Greenville Police Department 2025 Statistical Overview: Chief Richard Tindall presented data. In 2025, there were 4,532 reportable crashes (less than 1% increase), 7 fatal crashes (up 2 from 2024, but below 5-year average), and pedestrian injuries up 4. Traffic stops increased 52% to 29,348, with a focus on data-driven enforcement at hot spots (Greenville Blvd/Evans St, 10th St, Arlington Blvd). Part 1 violent crime was unchanged from 2024; property crime decreased 13%; overall part 1 crime decreased 12%. The department seized 819 firearms. Chief emphasized community policing, juvenile justice collaboration, and responsible gun ownership. Councilmembers discussed correlation between aggressive traffic enforcement and lower insurance rates, and the need for balanced capital investment in west/south Greenville.
  • Update on GREAT Transit System: Director of Engineering Kevin Mulligan and new Transit Manager Wood Davidson presented. Technology upgrades included automated voice annunciation, real-time bus tracking (AVL), security cameras, and automatic passenger counts. Extended hours (6 AM–8 PM weekdays, Saturday 9 AM–4 PM) have added 30% ridership in previously unserved hours. Over 170 benches and 30+ shelters are being installed with ARPA funds. Councilmember Jones criticized bench dividers as “hostile architecture” and noted open-sided shelters offer inadequate rain protection. Councilmember Willis defended the design as progress. On-demand service (GREAT Plus) launched Feb. 18 in North Greenville (Route 4 zone), curb-to-curb, fare-free, with a transition to two vans scheduled after one month of data. Paratransit will transition from county to city operation by July 1, 2026, using four ADA-equipped vans (three new approved in January). Estimated annual cost after federal reimbursement is $140,000 (local share). Standard fare will resume mid-May at $1.25 (paratransit $2.50). Councilmember Robinson proposed a fare-free day for Disability Awareness Day (July 12). Discussion included the 4–6 AM service window for dialysis patients, with a plan to bring options back to council.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved annexation of 43 Apartments, LLC property (6–0).
  • Approved MOU with Greentown Properties for East Carolina Research and Innovation Campus (6–0).
  • Approved the agenda (6–0).
  • Noted that paratransit 4–6 AM service decision will be brought back for council discussion.
  • Councilmember Robinson requested staff research on occupancy tax collection for short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) and draft an ordinance if needed.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call the February 23rd, 2026 meeting of the Greenville City Council to Order. I'm Mayor P. J. Connolly to be presiding over tonight's meeting. First, I'd like to call on Councilmember Les Robinson for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor, thank you. I hope all you will join me in prayer. So we bow our heads. Heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful day and for the life we live. Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives. Thank you for your goodness and the many blessings we have received, both acknowledged and unknown. Thank you for our families, our relatives, our friends, colleagues, and citizens. Thank you for the many employees and staff who serve us and the citizens of Greenville. Thank you for those I serve with on this council. Thank you for your great love and care and infinite mercy and grace. I ask that you give each of us the experience, wisdom, discernment to properly consider all views and opinions on the issues that come before us. I ask that you give us each patience and perseverance and guide us as we consider and decide what is the best decision for the citizens of Greenville on the issues that come before us. And finally, Father, I thank you for another day. Use me as you will. In your precious name we pray. Amen. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for Roman stands. Yes, sir. Mayor Connolly. Here. Mayor Pratem Foreman. Here. Councilmember Jones. Here. Councilmember Hardy. Here. Councilmember Scully. Here. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Councilmember Willis. Here. All right, Mayor Connelly, we have a forum. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the approval of tonight's agenda. Mr. Manager, any recommended changes? Have no changes, Mayor. So motion to approve. Motion approved. Second. All right. Opposed say nay.

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