The Wilmington City Council met on June 3, 2025, at 6:30 PM to consider a consent agenda, public hearings, ordinances, resolutions, and additional items. The meeting included a proclamation for Global Running Day, approval of a 79-unit and a 65-unit townhome development, a continuation of the special use permit elimination item, and adoption of the FY2026 budget ordinances. Several infrastructure and policy resolutions were approved, and council authorized a closed session to settle a workers' compensation claim.
Welcome everyone here this evening, and I want to welcome all those who are watching us at home. Thank you for taking interest in your government. This time, I'd like to introduce Captain Joe Michael James of the Wilmington Fire Department. If you'll please come forward and give our invocation if everyone will stand and stand afterwards for the Pledge of Allegiance. City Wilmington North Columbia Proclamation reads whereas Global Running Day is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in June is a worldwide celebration of running that inspires people of all ages and abilities to embrace physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Whereas running promotes individual well-being, fosters community spirit, and encourages the use and appreciation of Wilmington's parks, greenways, and public spaces. And whereas the Wilmington Roadrunners and the Wilmington Run Club, along with many local schools, fitness organizations, and individuals actively support and promote running throughout our city year round. And whereas the Roadrunners Club of America, better known as RRCA, has recognized Wilmington as an official runner-friendly community. A designation reflects our city's commitment to safe and accessible running infrastructure, active support from local government, and a strong local running culture. And whereas the Global Running Day Wilmington joins cities and runners around the globe in celebrating the power of running to connect people, improve health, and strengthen communities. Now, therefore, I'm Bill Sappho, mayor of the City of Wilmington, on behalf of the entire city council. Do hereby proclaim June 4th, 2025 as Global Running Day in the City of Wilmington, and encourage all residents to join the worldwide celebration by running, walking, or jogging in support of healthy living and community connection. In witness thereof, I've set my signature here. And I also just want to say thank you for everything you folks have done to promote our cross city trail throughout our community. It's been a uh wonder a wonderful addition, but we couldn't have done it without the support of advocacy groups such as yours. So we say thank you very much. I'm gonna turn this microphone over to you. I appreciate it. Last year, on behalf of the city of Wilmington, the Wilmington Roadrunners applied for the runner-friendly community designation. This designation is awarded by the Roadrunners Club of America, a national organization that supports local running clubs across the country. Each year, the organization awards the title to approximately five communities that have gone above and beyond to create an outstanding experience for the runners in their cities. To receive this designation, communities must excel in four domains. Community infrastructure, which includes having accessible trails, tracks, parks, and other running locations, community support, which includes having multiple running groups and runner-friendly businesses that support these groups, government support, which includes having a local government that works closely with the running community to offer safe, affordable running events and to encourage running across the city and additional support, which includes offering youth running programs, having willing volunteers to support running events, and having media that help promote these events. The Roadrunners Club of America determined that Wilmington met or exceeded all criteria in these domains, and Wilmington received the runner-friendly community designation in late 2024. As the Wilmington Roadrunner Club president, I just wanted to say thank you all for your commitment to public safety, to the infrastructure with over 40 parks, over 30 miles worth of trails in Wilmington. Um you all have done a great job in helping us promote running in the community with the Wilmington Marathon. We had a 15th marathon this year, which was our largest by far. And your commitment to infrastructure has helped us get some of the top runners, like the uh man who won Boston this year, is coming to the Wilmington Half Marathon this year. Um, so just your commitment and your dedication to running and the community as a whole has really helped us approve the clubs and improve the health of this community. So we thank you. Thank you so much. Oh, let's take a picture here with them. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you so much. Are there any items that any council member would like to hear separately? If not, what are the wishes of this council? We have a motion approved by councilmember Ravenbach. Second by Councilmember Wadale. Any discussion? All favor of that motion, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That item passes unanimously. That brings us to our next item of visit, which is our public information segment. We have four speakers that have signed up to speak with us this evening. Each speaker will be allotted five minutes.