Greenville City Council Meeting - March 23, 2026: Annexations, Budget Approval, and Special Recognitions
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Greenville City Council Meeting - March 23, 2026
The Greenville City Council met on March 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The meeting included approval of consent items, three public hearings for annexations, special recognitions for a Gold Award Girl Scout and a retiring police officer, and councilmember comments. All votes were unanimous (5-0). The meeting also featured a request to cancel the March 23, 2026 City Council meeting itself, which was approved.
Consent Calendar
- Item 8 (Fire Rescue Live Burn Facility): The council approved appropriating $17,000 to the capital project management fund for completion of the fire rescue live burn facility, bringing the overall operating budget to $204.9 million. Motion by Councilmember Willis, second by Councilmember Robinson. Passed 5-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public registered to speak during the public comment period.
Recognition
- Madison Wallace: Recognized for achieving the Gold Award Girl Scout designation, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. Her project focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia populations, creating 50 fidget blankets and leading workshops for fellow Girl Scouts.
- Master Police Officer Brandon Peebles: Recognized upon his retirement after 24.5 years of service. Peebles was a key investigator in complex fugitive, drug, and terrorism cases, and an expert in cellular analysis. His work involved seizures of over $10 million in drugs and assets, and hundreds of arrests.
Public Hearings
- Gateway West LLC Annexation: Ordinance to annex 2.952 acres at Stantonsburg Road and Gateway Drive, anticipated to yield 25,000 sq ft of self-storage with an estimated tax value of $2 million. Approved 5-0.
- Hannaford Family Farm Annexation: Ordinance to annex 3.60 acres along Dickinson Avenue Extension, anticipated to yield 5–10 single-family lots with an estimated tax value of $1.8 million. Approved 5-0.
- MCV Fire Tower LLC Annexation: Ordinance to annex 0.839 acres on East Fire Tower Road, anticipated to yield 7,000 sq ft of automobile repair with an estimated tax value of $1.2 million. Approved 5-0.
Discussion Items
- Councilmember Jones: Celebrated Barbie Day (March 9, 1959 debut) and emphasized the importance of imagination and opportunity for children.
- Councilmember Willis: Reported on the Police Athletic League Black History Wax Museum, Girl Scouts Week, the renaming of Neighborhood and Business Services to Community and Development Services, and the Empower Her event.
- Councilmember Scully: Congratulated the NC Alliance (now Invest Greenville Pitt County) on rebranding, and noted the positive impact of economic development efforts.
- Councilmember Robinson: Highlighted the city’s strong financial audits, Greenville Utilities Commission’s continued awards, ECU baseball, and Awaken Coffee’s work with special-needs young adults.
- Mayor Pro Tem Foreman: Raised concerns about substandard housing conditions, citing Clubway apartments and retaliatory evictions, and called for stronger enforcement against slumlords.
- City Manager’s Report: Requested and received approval to cancel the March 23, 2026 City Council meeting due to lack of agenda items.
Key Outcomes
- Appropriation approved: $17,000 for fire rescue live burn facility (vote 5-0).
- Three annexation ordinances approved: Gateway West, Hannaford family farm, MCV Fire Tower (all 5-0).n- March 23 meeting canceled: Approved unanimously.
- Public hearings closed without opposition.
Note: The transcript also includes segments from other meetings and events (e.g., March 9 workshop on pavement conditions, March 11 affordable housing loan committee, March 17 planning and zoning commission, and community promotional content), but the core council meeting summarized here is the primary business conducted on the given date.
Meeting Transcript
70. And item D will be appropriating funds for the completion of the fire rescue live burn facility. That will increase the capital project management fund by 17,000 dollars. That brings our overall operating budget 204, 204.9 million dollars. Yes, that council approved item number eight. Any questions? Anyone want to make a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Alright, motion made by Councilmember Willis, second by Councilmember Robinson. Any other discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passes five zero. Thank you very much. We'll now move on to the review of the March 12th, 2026 City Council agenda. So on your screen is the agenda for Thursday, March 12th meeting. I'll ask that that be stood stand there for a few seconds so the community can view that. Good. Yes, here we go. Here we go. The anticipated city managers report. I have no report, Mayor. I'll save it for Thursday night. Sounds good. How about the city attorney's report? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mayor and Council, no report. Thank you. Wow. No pressure. City Clerk's report. Also, our report. Okay. All right. I think we started this way last time. We'll start with Councilmember Jones. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to say happy Barbie Day, hence my pink shirt today. Today marks Barbie Day, celebrating the debut of Barbie at the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. Celebr created by Ruth Handler and introduced by Mattil. Barbie quickly became more than just a toy. She became a symbol of imagination and possibility for generations. Over the years, Barbie has evolved with the Times. She has represented more than 200 careers from astronaut and doctor to business leader and public servant. Along the way, Barbara Barbie has also become more diverse and inclusive, reflecting the many different backgrounds, talents, and dreams of people around the world. I'm sure some of you are thinking, why should you they're talking about Barbie? It's because I think the message behind Barbie evolution is an important one. Strong communities are built when people believe their dreams are possible and when young people can see opportunities for themselves right where they live.
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