Greenville City Council Meeting - October 8, 2026

The Greenville City Council met on October 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation by Council Member Robinson and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmembers Jones and Stellia were absent. The agenda was approved with a modification to continue two public hearing items (rezoning and annexation of the Walton property) to the November 12 meeting at the applicant's request.

Special Recognitions

• The Greenville Tar Heel 8-10 All-Stars baseball team was recognized for their 13-1 tournament record, including wins over state champions from Georgia, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zoe Dixon spoke against the newly enacted downtown curfew for persons under 18, citing concerns about enforcement via ID checks and potential constitutional violations. She referenced an officer with a history of rights violations.
• Venus Diamond, a 24-year-old resident, stated she is often mistaken for a minor and worried the curfew would subject her to ID checks by police, making her feel unsafe downtown.
• Scarlett Edelman argued that the curfew gives police new authority to profile based on appearance and creates risks for adults without ID.
• Trisha Workhaul of Bethel (north of the river) also opposed the curfew, suggesting the city instead build more recreational spaces like basketball courts and skate parks for youth, and criticized the surveillance-heavy approach.
• No other speakers registered or came forward.

Appointments

• The Council made several appointments to boards and commissions, all approved 4-0:
  • Environmental Advisory Commission: Jalen Lampa
  • Historic Preservation Commission: continued
  • Human Relations Council: Tara Perez
  • Multimodal Transportation Commission: Lakesha Pittman
  • Pitt Greenville Convention and Visitors Authority: Chelsea Hill (city appointment; county appointments pending)
  • Planning and Zoning Commission: Lathan Turner
  • Police Community Relations Committee: Aileen Peacock (reappointed by Council)
  • Shepard Memorial Library Board: Rick Smiley and Elizabeth Sweetherty
  • Youth Council: continued

Discussion Items

• Item 5: Fair Market Values for Affordable Homes (703 & 705 W. 5th Street) – Director Tiana Barryman presented that two homes built by Pitt Community College students as part of the 50-in-10 initiative were appraised at $208,000 each. The city provides up to $40,000 down payment assistance, layered with state subsidies up to $65,000, reducing the mortgage requirement to about $103,000. The board discussed engaging suppliers for material donations and expanding the program. The motion to establish the fair market value at $208,000 each passed 4-0.
• Item 6: Municipal Agreement with NCDOT for East 10th Street Sidewalk Project – Civil engineer Lynn Rayner presented a project to fill sidewalk gaps along East 10th Street between Oak Down Way and Parkside Drive, connecting River Hills neighborhood and commercial areas. The project is 80% funded by NCDOT block grant; the city pays 20% match. The schedule anticipates construction in spring 2028. Pedestrian crossings will be coordinated with a future NCDOT widening project at Port of Town Road. The motion to approve the agreement passed 4-0.

City Manager's Report

• City Manager noted the October 19 meeting has no agenda items; Council voted 4-0 to cancel it.

City Attorney's Report

• No report.

City Clerk's Report

• City Clerk Danielle was congratulated for earning her Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation.

Comments from Mayor and City Council

• Councilmember Willis thanked staff for providing recycling bins to Farrington Trace, noted the Planning Academy, and highlighted October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, urging support for the Center for Family Violence Prevention (92 domestic-related calls since January).
• Councilmember Robinson reminded residents to be patient during homecoming weekend, thanked the fire department for smoke detector assistance, and praised sanitation workers.
• Mayor Pro Tem Foreman linked housing and food insecurity to increased domestic violence and juvenile issues.
• Mayor Connolly requested staff to report on state regulations of smoke/vape shops and potential municipal regulations to protect youth.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned after a motion passed 4-0.