Greenville City Council Meeting – October 5, 2026

The Greenville City Council met on October 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comment, approval of consent agenda items, consideration of a grant application for dam evaluation, budget ordinance amendments, and councilmember reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 1–9 en bloc: Second reading of the Youth Protection Ordinance; dedications of rights-of-way and easements for Brook Hollow Section 5 Phase 1B, Lynndale East Section 5 Phase 2, and Towns at Davenport Farms Phase 1; permanent drainage easement release with Golden Hotels, Inc.; on-call engineering and architectural services contract to Kimley-Horn; interlocal agreement with Pitt County for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant; resolution supplementing prior approval for limited obligation bonds; and various tax refunds over $100. Motion passed 6–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Natasha Ruffin, a resident of Lake View Terrace (Carolina Code housing), expressed frustration with ongoing drug activity and smoking in her unit and common areas. She stated she had reported the issues to the landlord and housing authority but problems have worsened. She asked the council to reinforce drug-free policies. Councilmember Robinson thanked her and assured follow-up.

Discussion Items

• New Business Item 10: PROTECT Program Grant Application – Civil Engineer Daryl Norse presented a resolution to apply for a U.S. DOT PROTECT planning grant (FY 2024–2026) for evaluation and design of repairs to Lake Ellsworth Dam. The dam is classified as a high-hazard dam, owned by the city, with three overflow pipes in poor condition. Dickinson Avenue (average daily traffic ~18,500 trips) is immediately downstream. The grant would be $500,000 with 100% federal share for planning, feasibility analysis, and design to make the dam more resilient. Councilmember Hardy questioned the cost and timeline; Norse explained no imminent failure, but repair construction funding requires a shovel-ready design. Motion passed 6–0.
• New Business Item 11: Budget Ordinance #3 – CFO Jacob Joyner presented amendments to multiple funds: recognizing $2,000 in donations for Cops & Barbers and backpack giveaway; appropriating $2 million from Occupancy Tax reserve for sports complex capital costs; appropriating $1.3 million in CDBG and HOME grants to the Housing Fund; adding 2 FTEs to the Sanitation Fund for litter patrol; and reallocating appropriations for stormwater capital projects (total grants ~$28 million, net decrease of ~$1.5 million in Stormwater Capital Fund). Total operating budget becomes $211.1 million. Motion passed 6–0.

Councilmember Comments & Reports

• Councilmember Robinson reminded of Free Boot Friday and ECU homecoming, and recognized Scout Lucy from Troop 46G working on a citizenship merit badge.
• Councilmember Scully thanked police, fire, and sidewalk improvement crews.
• Councilmember Willis announced National Night Out on October 6 at Five Points with food trucks, K9 officers, bounce houses.
• Councilmember Hardy noted Woodlawn Park groundbreaking, Town Common opening in December, and upcoming student engagement sessions on minimal housing standards; next workshop will feature ECU chancellor and SGA president.
• Councilmember Jones recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
• No reports from the City Manager, City Attorney, or City Clerk.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (Items 1–9) approved 6–0.
• Resolution for PROTECT grant application (Item 10) approved 6–0.
• Budget Ordinance #3 (Item 11) approved 6–0.
• Meeting adjourned.