Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting - July 15, 2025

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, public comments, public hearings, ordinances, and resolutions. Key actions included approving a rezoning for Nourish NC, adopting a fossil fuel-free investing strategy (5-2), establishing a social district framework (5-2), and amending public comment rules (6-1).

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of June 16 and June 17, 2025 meetings.
• Authorized leases: Avcon Engineers & Planners (2nd Floor, 115 N. 3rd St.), Beacon Bridge-Wilmington LLC (1st Floor, 115 N. 3rd St.), Synply, Inc. (4th Floor, Skyline Center), Coastal Beverage Company (8th Floor amendment), and Honorable Ted Budd (4th Floor, Skyline Center).
• Authorized Fire Prevention and Safety Grant ($116,708 with $5,836 match).
• Authorized purchase of 2025 Chevrolet Silverado and Express Passenger Van ($97,811).
• Authorized USTA grants ($77,750) for Althea Gibson Tennis Complex resurfacing.
• Authorized three-year contract with VirTra, Inc. for use-of-force simulator.
• Adopted FY 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds.
• Authorized three-year professional services agreement with Sedgwick Claims Management for workers' compensation administration.
• All consent items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Arlis Donovan (Galleria Watch, 6723 Cable Car Lane) expressed strong opposition to Phase III of the Haven at Galleria development on Wrightsville Avenue. He cited a 2022 traffic impact analysis showing 2,750 additional daily trips, adding a vehicle every 15 seconds. He presented a petition with 1,707 signatures and requested a new traffic study, removal of a mixed-use zoning loophole, and a tree study.
• John Martell (Cape Fear Five Star Project) criticized Novant Health's quality at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, noting a downgrade from B to C grade by Leapfrog and a near-shutdown in 2022. He presented a petition with 3,200 signatures and urged council to press county commissioners for accountability on promises made during the 2020 purchase.
• Crystal Lee advocated for a city ordinance prohibiting retail sale of dogs and cats (N.C. Gen. Stat. 19A-27). She stated North Carolina has the second-highest euthanasia rate of healthy dogs and cats, with 343 local animals euthanized in 2024. She provided evidence of USDA violations at suppliers of The Puppy Place and noted Governor Stein's veto of HB 96 due to a provision limiting local authority.
• Herbert Hy'keem Copeland spoke about a presidential order on royalties of the land for the royal family, but Mayor Saffo indicated no knowledge of such order and directed him to the City Clerk.
• Patrick Matthews and Susan McLean were scheduled but did not appear.

Discussion Items

• PH1 – Rezoning 3606 Market Street (2.08 acres from O&I to CS): Staff recommended denial, citing inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan and potential future uses (e.g., heavy equipment sales, outdoor storage). The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. Applicant's attorney Cindee Wolfe argued the existing use (Nourish NC warehouse and distribution) is a community benefit and that change-of-use provisions would protect the corridor. Council approved 7-0 and waived second reading.
• PH2 – Rezoning 3816 Market Street (0.81 acres from O&I to CB): Staff recommended approval, citing consistency with the plan and appropriate transition to nearby residential. Applicant Dave Spetrino presented a planned 8,000 sq. ft. building as final phase of Pearsall Church redevelopment. Council approved 7-0 and waived second reading.
• O1-O9b (Ordinances): All ordinances passed unanimously (7-0 except O4 passed 6-0 with Councilmember Waddell not seated). These included appropriations for: River to Sea Bike Ride ($3,013), ABC Board grant for police equipment ($20,000), Police Activities League grant ($4,528), NC Amateur Sports grant ($5,900), Tourism Authority for Visitors Center HVAC ($42,900), Kenan Fountain repair ($176,264), Fit For Fun Center playground replacement ($237,618 grant + $56,382 city match), Greenville Loop Trail Section 2 ($3,700,000), and tree mitigation funds to Alliance for Cape Fear Trees ($100,000). Second readings were waived.
• R1 – Fossil Fuel-Free Investing Strategies: Councilmember Joyner introduced the resolution, directing the city manager to amend the investment policy to exclude direct investment in commercial paper from companies engaged in fossil fuel extraction or production. Finance Director Martha Wayne explained the policy would affect about 15% of the portfolio (~$47 million). Discussion centered on potential yield impacts and staff burden. Councilmember Rivenbark and Waddell opposed, arguing it could limit returns and distract from core issues. Passed 5-2 (Rivenbark, Waddell voting no).
• R2a and R2b – Social District Framework and Advisory Committee: Deputy City Manager Chad McEwen presented standards for creating social districts, modeled on a multiple-district approach. The framework includes a pre-application process, 60% business participation, 500-foot notification, and a Social District Advisory Committee with voting city staff and non-voting stakeholders. Councilmember Andrews successfully amended R2a to include a non-voting ex-officio member from the Cape Fear Coalition. Councilmember Spears and Mayor Pro-Tem Barnett advocated for a community voting member, but the amendment failed. R2a passed 5-2 (Barnett, Spears voting no). R2b passed 5-2 with the same split.
• R3 – Public Comment Period Amendment: City Attorney Meredith Everhart presented changes to Rule 6, reducing speaker time from 5 to 3 minutes (with a single 2-minute extension) and allowing 10 speakers instead of 6, with sign-up available 30 minutes before meetings. Passed 6-1 (Councilmember Spears voting no).
• R4 – Convention Center Advisory Committee Membership: Revised the committee's hotel-related positions to a general hotelier slot to ease recruitment. Passed 7-0.
• R5 – Condemnation Authorization for Roundabout: Removed from agenda by consent after city attorney reported resolution of issues. Motion to remove passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All consent items and most ordinances passed 7-0 (O4 passed 6-0). Resolution R1 passed 5-2 (Rivenbark, Waddell against). R2a and R2b passed 5-2 (Barnett, Spears against). R3 passed 6-1 (Spears against). R4 passed 7-0. R5 removed 7-0.
• Second readings were waived for all ordinances voted on.
• Closed session held under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(6) for legal consultation and personnel matters; no action taken.
• Next regular meeting scheduled for August 5, 2025.