Wilmington City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025: Budget, Annexation, Public Works, and New City Manager
Wilmington City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025
The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and adjourning at 9:11 p.m. Mayor Bill Saffo presided. (Note: The agenda lists the meeting location as City Hall, Skyline Center, 929 N. Front Street; the approved minutes list City Hall, Council Chambers, 102 North 3rd Street.) The Council honored retiring City Manager Tony Caudle, held public hearings on the FY2026 budget and two annexation/dilapidated-dwelling ordinances, approved multiple infrastructure contracts, and appointed Rebecca Hawke as the next City Manager. The next regular meeting was announced for June 3, 2025.
Presentation
- Mayor Saffo read and presented a proclamation designating the week of May 18-24, 2025 as Public Works Week to Public Works Director Dave Mayes. Mayes invited the public to a demonstration day on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Skyline Center.
- Mayor Saffo and Council presented City Manager Tony Caudle with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine on behalf of Governor Josh Stein, recognizing his retirement on May 30, 2025 after 44 years of municipal service.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the May 5, 2025 Agenda Briefing and May 6, 2025 Regular Meeting.
- Adopted a resolution directing the Tax Collector to advertise certain liens and file certificates of liens as judgments.
- Authorized a new lease for the fourth floor of the Skyline Center to Black & Veatch Corporation.
- Authorized a $294,887 contract with Strategic Connections, Inc. for audio-visual system upgrades at the Wilmington Convention Center.
- The Consent Agenda passed 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Steve Anthony, a retired state law enforcement manager and staff representative for the North Carolina Division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association (PBA), said most Wilmington Police Department officers are members and asked that the PBA be involved in the chief selection process, including a public candidate forum and a staff survey. Asked by Councilmember Spears, he confirmed he had not spoken to or reached out to Chief Williams.
- Sarah Moxley, a Wilmington citizen, urged Council to meet with her group and attend a screening of "No Other Land." She cited a January 2025 poll showing 78% of voters (four out of five) supported a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza, stated more than 100 U.S. city councils have passed ceasefire resolutions, and said her group had sent 1,085 emails to Council. She expressed opposition to Wilmington taxpayer funds being used for Israel's military.
- Daniel B. Gray, representing the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association's Southeastern Chapter, described the WPD situation as "very dire," expressed support for the Council's selection process of approximately 45 candidates from a national screening, and requested input and assistance.
Public Hearings
- FY2026 Budget (PH1.a-d): Budget Director Laura Mortell opened the public hearing for the General Fund, grants and other funds, capital projects, and fee schedule ordinances. She stated the recommended FY2026 budget is just over $306 million, the assessed property value increased to $35 billion, and the budget uses a real property tax rate of 28.25 cents, with one cent equal to $3.5 million, 22.81 cents going to the General Fund and 5.77 cents to debt service. The net neutral rate is 28.15 cents; the difference from rounding to 28.25 cents is approximately $351,000. The General Fund is $156 million. No vote was taken on the budget that night.
- Public speakers expressed positions on the proposed elimination of the Wilmington Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit and the proposed cut to Downtown Business Alliance funding. Elena Schmant spoke for prioritizing the welfare of the five horses, opposed using horses for civilian control, and suggested volunteer equestrian events. Rebecca Trammel supported keeping the DEI program and suggested bikes for officers. Alex Jolly supported disbanding the mounted police division, noting it costs $351,000 a year to field up to four mounted officers. Cheryl Hartsow, President of the Downtown Business Alliance, opposed the funding cut and requested continuation of the $10,000 annual appropriation that has existed since 2007. Gregor Owen, a business owner and DBA member, also opposed the cut. Nolan Heath complained about dangerous, poorly lit roadways; Mayor Saffo responded that the state owns the roads he named and that Council has complained to NCDOT. Brian Cowing favored retiring the horses, citing an incident in 2022 when a horse was struck by a drunk driver, and proposed sanctuaries such as Penderosa Sanctuary or Red Feather Barn.
- Annexation PH2: Planner Todd Rademacher presented a voluntary annexation for 904, 912, and 1000 North Kerr Avenue totaling approximately 8.25 acres. The proposed development includes 79 residential units, 54 within the annexation and 25 already inside city limits. Applicant attorney Matt Nichols said Canvas Residential Partners proposes 79 townhomes on about 11.25 acres at approximately seven units per acre, with the non-annexed portion largely Duke Energy power line easements. The Council approved the annexation ordinance 7-0 and waived second reading 7-0; the effective date would be June 30, 2025.
- 553 Manly Avenue (PH3): Chief Code Enforcement Officer Brian Renner reported the vacant single-family home, owned by heirs of Annie Newkirk, was dilapidated based on a 2024 tax value of $36,700 versus an estimated $40,000 in repairs (110%). A prospective buyer, Allora Homes, represented by property manager Jamie Glover, planned to close May 29, 2025. Staff amended its recommendation from 30 to 90 days. The Council approved the ordinance 7-0 and waived second reading; the agenda records the waiver as 6-0, while the minutes describe it as unanimous.
- 561 Manly Avenue (PH4): Code Enforcement Officer Robert Hogue reported the vacant home had a 2024 building tax value of $64,000 and land value of $68,900, with estimated repair costs of $91,154, making it dilapidated at 142% of value. Ms. Glover said Allora Homes had begun cleanup and scheduled repairs through July 15, 2025. Staff amended the recommendation to 90 days. The Council approved the ordinance 7-0 and waived second reading 7-0.
Discussion Items
- O1 - Condemnation for Independence Boulevard/River Road Roundabout: Assistant City Attorney Whitley Stavish explained the resolution authorizes filing of four potential condemnation actions for right-of-way, temporary construction easements, permanent drainage easements, and permanent utility easements. Acquisition must be completed by May 31, 2025 to stay on schedule. Two property owners have agreed to settle but have not closed. The resolution passed 6-0.
- O2 - LIDL Eastwood Road Agreement and Appropriation: Project Manager Kyle Burden said the amendment shifts project management from LIDL US Operations, LLC to the City for median improvements on Eastwood Road, with LIDL contributing its proportionate share. The companion ordinance appropriates $1,281,500 from LIDL to the Streets & Sidewalks Capital Projects Fund. Both passed 7-0, and second reading of the ordinance was waived 7-0.
- O3 - Wrightsville Avenue Sidewalks and Roundabout: Engineering Director Dave Cowell presented an appropriation of $6,987,769 from completed transportation bond projects, roadway contingency funds, and interest earnings, plus a $6,033,187 construction contract with Chatham Civil Contracting, LLC. The project creates 2.6 miles of continuous sidewalks (1.5 miles of new sidewalks) along Wrightsville Avenue, upgrades pedestrian signals, and adds a roundabout at Wallace Avenue. Construction is expected to last 15 months and finish in fall 2026. The appropriation passed 7-0, second reading was waived 7-0, and the contract award passed 7-0.
- R5 - NCDOT Public Meeting Resolution: Mayor Saffo proposed a resolution urging NCDOT to hold a new public meeting on the Eastwood Road/Military Cutoff Road intersection project, noting the last public meeting was in 2018 and Drysdale Drive has since opened. Councilmembers Waddell and Spears said they supported additional information and public input, while Councilmember Rivenbark warned that delaying the $81 million project could lead funds to be moved elsewhere. The resolution passed 7-0.
Resolutions
- R1: Updated the Official Brick and Stone Streets Policy Map to reflect restored brick surfaces and add Market House Alley; no budget impact. Passed 6-0.
- R2: Awarded the 2025 Annual Needs Stormwater Infrastructure Repairs and Rehabilitation Contract to NU-Pipe, LLC in the amount of $1,429,165. Passed 7-0.
- R3: Approved a declaration of withdrawal of dedication for an 11-foot-wide unnamed alley in Seagate Park dedicated in 1909 and never opened or used by the public. Passed 7-0.
- R4: Established filing fees for City of Wilmington elected offices. City Clerk Penelope Spicer-Sidbury said the fee had not changed since 2003. Passed 6-1, with Councilmember Spears voting no.
Reports
- Councilmember Rivenbark, chair of the Appointments Committee, presented recommendations approved 7-0: remove Sarah Snyder and appoint Jen Wilson-Mathis to the Commission for Women; appoint Chakema Clinton-Quintana to the Greater Downtown Special Area Plan Steering Committee; reappoint Bill Saffo and Charlie Rivenbark to the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority; appoint Lisa Espy to the Community Relations Advisory Committee; appoint Ben Cherry to the Port, Waterway & Beach Commission; and appoint Greg Thompson as Zoning Board of Adjustment Alternate 4, with other alternates moving up.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the Consent Agenda 7-0.
- Approved FY2026 budget-related public hearing items for later formal adoption; no budget vote occurred.
- Approved annexation PH2 7-0 with second reading waived 7-0.
- Approved PH3 and PH4 with 90-day repair/demolish timelines; PH3 waiver recorded as 6-0 in the agenda and unanimous in minutes; PH4 7-0.
- Approved O1 6-0, O2.a 7-0, O2.b 7-0 with waiver 7-0, O3.a 7-0 with waiver 7-0, and O3.b 7-0.
- Approved R1 6-0, R2 7-0, R3 7-0, R4 6-1, and R5 7-0.
- Appointed Rebecca L. Hawke as City Manager effective June 30, 2025, after waiving rules of order; the vote was unanimous.
- Following a closed session, the Council voted 6-1 to appoint Deputy City Manager Thom Moton as Interim City Manager from May 31 through June 29, 2025, with Councilmember Waddell voting no.
- Recognized retiring City Manager Tony Caudle, who was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Josh Stein's office; Caudle attended his final City Council meeting after over 1,400 such meetings.
Note: The agenda lists the meeting at the Skyline Center, while the minutes state Council Chambers at 102 North 3rd Street; this summary does not resolve that discrepancy.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to welcome all those who are with us here this evening, all those who are watching us at home. Thank you for taking an interest in your government. At this time, I'd like to introduce Captain Jermichael James of the Wilmington Fire Department. If please come forward to give us our invocation for every ask of everyone else, stand at this time and in the aftermath. I mean, have to Mr. James gives the invocation, we will do the Pledge of Allegiance. Decisions rooted in compassion and justice and understanding. May the action is taken within these walls to be guided by our desire to create a thriving and exclusive environment where every voice is heard, and every sentence that feels valued. We ask these things. In Jesus Christ's name, I pray. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And uh storm water and roads and maintenance of our uh drains and so many of the things the infrastructure in our community that make this community what it is. And I just want to say it's a tough job. At times it's a you know, some of the city is very old, and the things that you folks have to do to make it continue to work and run. And I just want to say, on behalf of the entire city council and all of the citizens of Wilmington, thank you for everything you folks do every single day for our community. I really do appreciate that. Thank you. City of Wilmington, North Carolina proclamation reads whereas the City of Wilmington's public works department employs women and men who focus on maintaining and improving public infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of the city of Wilmington. And whereas the work performed by the City of Wilmington Public Works Department employees could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public work staff who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of the city who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, maintaining, and protecting our nation's transportation, drainage, and solid waste systems, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential for our residents. And whereas it is the public interest for the residents, civic leaders, and children in Wilmington to gain knowledge of and maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. And whereas the year 2025 marks the 65th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association and Canadian Public Works Association. Now, therefore, on behalf of the Wilmington City Council, I Bill Sappho do hereby designate the week of May 18th through the 24th, 2025 as National Public Works Weeks, and urge residents to join with me and the American Public Works Association and other government agencies in expressing appreciation for the women and men of the City of Wilmington Public Works Department and acknowledge the substantial contributions they make protecting our nation's health, safety, and advancing quality of life. So congratulations, Dave, to you and your great team. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um first uh I just want to say really to council. Um I hear you say all the time that our employees are our most valuable resource. The decisions that you make up here for us on our behalf to give us the tools and the resources we need to do the job that we love to do, it does not go unnoticed by us. So thank you. First of all, first of all, uh, second of all to people that are here and listening tonight. Uh if you see our staff out in the field, uh, chances are they have a city logo shirt on, they're driving a big truck, or they've got a high visibility vest on. Please take the time to walk up to them and say thank you. Um, they work hard, they want to make a difference, and uh any sort of recognition that you can give them out in the field is very meaningful. And lastly, um here's an invitation. This Thursday, starting at 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. in the south lot of our new skyline center, we will have a public works and other departments demonstration day. Lots of equipment, lots of people out there. Please come out and interact with our staff. You'll be able to uh see some of the things that we do, and we love to have you out there on Thursday. So thank you again, Mr. Mayor. Appreciate it. Thank you, buddy. Appreciate it. Thank you. There we go. Thank you.
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