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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026

City Council & Planning Commission — Tuesday, February 17, 2026

BodyWilmington, North Carolina

SessionCity Council & Planning Commission

DateTuesday, February 17, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:08:25

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:58

Call the meeting to order the Wilmington City Council, like to welcome all those who are with us here this evening and all those who are watching us at home.

1:04

Thank you for taking an interest in your government.

1:07

At this time, I'd like to ask and introduce Sergeant Ronald Evans of the Wilmington Police Department.

1:11

If you'll please come forward and give our invocation if everyone will stand and afterwards, we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:16

Good evening, Mayor, Airport Tim Council.

1:19

Let us pray.

1:19

Dear Heavenly Father, we first and foremost just thank you for this day.

1:23

We thank you for your continued grace and your continued mercy that you bestow upon us day in and day out.

1:29

We ask that you continue to watch over us, keep us protected from the seen and the unseen.

1:35

Cradle us in your arms and hold us close to your bosom.

1:39

In Jesus' name we pray.

1:41

Amen.

1:42

Amen.

1:43

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the United States.

1:47

To the Republican stands.

1:49

One nation under God with liberty and justice.

2:03

We have several presentations this evening.

2:17

If she'll meet me in the front with everybody.

5:05

So Evelyn, this is yours.

5:09

Thank you.

5:11

Thank you, Mayor Sappho, members of the City Council and staff.

5:16

On behalf of the city's commission on African American history, I sincerely thank you for acknowledging and continuing to recognize the month of February as Black History Month.

5:28

For many of us, however, Black History is not confined to a single month.

5:33

It is lived and honored every day.

5:36

Today, as we reflect, we also acknowledge the loss of another servant leader and civil rights advocate, Reverend Jesse Jackson.

5:46

On May 8th, 1984, I had the distinct opportunity to meet Revan Jackson when he came to Wilmington to hold a rally announcing his candidacy for president of the United States.

6:02

That moment remains as a powerful reminder of what civic courage and bold leadership looks like.

6:13

Black history for me is deeply personal.

6:17

It is a daily reflection on where my ancestors came from and what has they have endured and the sacrifices made so that we can move forward, never backward.

6:31

I live in our lives.

6:33

I'm sorry.

6:35

It lives in our stories, our resilience and our responsibility to build building the foundation they have.

6:43

It is founded in the teachings, moments of everyday life, the conversations, and the connections, the celebrations, and the commitments that allow a community to grow in spirit, in truth, and in love.

7:01

As we honor this month, may we commit ourselves to the ongoing work of unity, justice, and progress, not only in February, but every single day.

7:15

Thank you for continuing to acknowledge to stand with us in recognizing that history is American history and that it is strength, it strengthens us all.

7:30

So we invite everyone here back at the Skyline Center on Saturday, February 21st at 5 p.m.

7:41

as we honor and celebrate our next generation of leaders, individuals, tickets are $25, tables are $200.

7:53

We look forward to seeing you there as we continue to uplift and invest in the future of our community.

8:03

So as the late Reverend Jesse Jackson once said, keep hope alive.

8:13

Thank you.

8:13

Thank you, everybody.

8:14

Thank you, everyone.

9:02

This time I like to recognize Mr.

9:04

Carson Porter, executive director of the Wilmington Hammerheads, who is going to give us a report on the Encino Park activity, which I know is very active at this current time.

9:17

Thank you.

9:20

Amy, will you help?

9:22

Oh, perfect.

9:25

Thank you, Mayor Sappho.

9:27

Um, city staff and members of city council.

9:30

Um, it's always an honor to be in front of you guys, and I come with I come with good news tonight.

9:35

So, hopefully, a lot of things that are going on that we're really proud of, and I'm really proud of it at the Encino Sports Park.

9:41

So, really quickly, I just want to give you a brief, a brief update, um, just a real snapshot into some of the economic uh boosts that it's doing for our community, and then and then just leave you with um just general ideas and thoughts as to where we go next.

9:56

So, um, for those who don't know, uh sports park is a passion project for a lot of us.

10:02

The Hammerheads had a 70-acre piece of land as a 501c3 nonprofit.

10:08

Um we worked really um well and hard and and with a lot of grind to with the city of Wilmington to develop this into a city park that was a win for everybody because it was able to give the land to the city and then the 2016 Parks Bond was what the funding came from to really make what is uh on the brink of being one of the best youth sports facilities in the country.

10:33

Um I'm I'm proud of that and determined to make that happen, and we're almost there.

10:38

So what it is right now, it's 11 full-size soccer fields.

10:41

That's a significant and large park.

10:44

Uh it's one artificial turf, so that's always something that you'll identify as you're if you're a youth sports parent.

10:50

Um artificial turfs are really good because they deal with weather in a lot easier way than than if it rains too much, as an example.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Fiscal Sustainability████████████████████20%

Economic Development█████████████████17%

Parks and Recreation█████████████13%

Procedural██████████10%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%

Racial Equity█████████9%

Public Safety███████7%

Workforce Development█████5%

Parking Management████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Skyline Center, 929 N. Front Street. Mayor Bill Saffo presided; Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Spears and Councilmembers David Joyner, Salette Andrews, J.C. Lyle, Cassidy Santaguida, and Chakema Clinton-Quintana were present. Council accepted the city's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, approved a forensic lab interlocal agreement, awarded a bridge rehabilitation contract, continued an ARPA funding reallocation for the Salvation Army, authorized bond financing and refunding resolutions, and held a closed session.

Presentations & Proclamations

Mayor Saffo read a proclamation naming February 2026 as Black History Month and presented it to Evelyn Adger, Chair of the Commission on African American History. Adger thanked the Mayor, Council, and staff, and invited everyone to the Commission's Youth Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 21 at 5 p.m.; tickets are $25 and tables are $200. She reflected on meeting Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1984 and said Black history is lived and honored every day.
Carson Porter, Executive Director of the Wilmington Hammerheads, reported on nCino Park activity. He said the park currently has 11 full-size soccer fields, one artificial turf field with a 12-to-15-year lifespan, and five lighted fields, and that approximately 1,000 kids and 500–600 vehicles were at the park that evening. He reported 165,000 unique annual visitors, five sports hosted (soccer, football, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, rugby), and an Elite Clubs National League weekend event with 6,000-plus overnight stays and over $3 million in total economic impact. Porter identified future needs including paving the gravel road and parking lot and potentially adding a gymnasium, and expressed ambition to make nCino Park a true sports campus.
Landon Vick of PBMares presented the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The audit received an unmodified or clean opinion; GASB 101 caused a restatement of beginning balances. One material weakness was identified in reconciling the schedule of expenditures of federal awards with the financial statements; it was not a material error to the financial statements, and a corrective action plan has been drafted. Vick reported no audit adjustments, no uncorrected misstatements, and no other significant audit issues.

Consent Calendar

Council pulled C3 (forensic lab interlocal agreement) and C6 (Front Street Bridge contract) for separate consideration. The remaining consent items – approval of the February 3, 2026 minutes; acceptance of the ACFR for the year ending June 30, 2025; authorization to apply for the North Carolina Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Financial Assistance Program grant; and award of on-call landscape architecture design and planning contracts to five firms – were approved unanimously on a motion by Councilmember Andrews, seconded by Councilmember Clinton-Quintana.
C3: The Council approved the Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with New Hanover County for the Operation of the Forensic Lab, 7-0. Councilmember Joyner asked about the earlier lab transfer; City Attorney Meredith Everhart explained that the transfer is permanent, while the interlocal agreement covers funding responsibilities. The City will pay 40% of operating costs after staff are paid, and all lab staff are on the County payroll. The agreement renews annually unless either party withdraws.
C6: Mayor Saffo recused himself from consideration of the Front Street Bridge Rehabilitation contract because Saffo Contractors, Inc. is owned by a family member, although he stated he has no personal or financial interest in the company. The recusal motion passed unanimously, and Mayor Pro-Tem Spears presided. Project Manager Kyle Burden said the project includes a full deck replacement and a three-bar metal rail system compliant with current NCDOT standards, extending the bridge's lifespan by about 25 years. Three bids were received; after the lowest bidder withdrew, Saffo Contractors was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder at $2,449,650. The contract award passed 6-0. (Note: The transcript names Santaguida as seconder of the award motion; the minutes name Clinton-Quintana.)

Public Comments & Testimony

Susan Morton was scheduled to speak about the Azalea Festival concert/musical act replacement but was unable to appear due to illness.
E.J. Hanley raised concerns about reserved parking spaces at Thalian Hall for the Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, and Council members. Hanley acknowledged some official occasions may justify reserved parking but said permanent 24/7 designation is not necessary, and asked Council to consider placing removable parking meter bags over the 'For Public Use' signage when the spaces are not needed for official purposes. She said this would help seniors and residents attending arts events and demonstrate thoughtful stewardship of shared public spaces.

Ordinances: ARPA Supplemental Appropriation and Salvation Army Reimbursement

Senior Engineer Project Manager Kim Gordon explained that in 2024 the City and the Salvation Army of Wilmington agreed to use $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to reimburse construction of William Booth Drive. The City has already paid the full $1.3 million, but the roadway cost totaled $1,464,757.60 due to unforeseen increases. Staff proposed reallocating $140,300 in surplus ARPA funds, including remaining Digital Divide Jobs Program funds, to cover the shortfall.
Finance Director Martha Wayne said the Digital Divide program partners had difficulty filling cohorts and could not spend all funds by the deadline. Remaining ARPA funds are restricted to already obligated, still-open ARPA projects, and all ARPA funds must be expended by December 31, 2026. Councilmembers expressed concerns about transparency and the program's performance; Councilmember Spears said he was taken aback that the program was being scrapped and wanted to see the remaining funds used for employment needs if feasible. Councilmember Clinton-Quintana asked whether the $140,300 was the total left in the program; Wayne said it was the remaining funds from that particular program. Clinton-Quintana also asked for information on what the program had spent on. The City Manager offered to prepare a report for the next meeting and invite Step Up and Stiegler EdTech to participate.
Council voted unanimously to continue Ordinance O.1a and Resolution O.1b to the March 3, 2026 meeting so Council could receive that report. The motion was made by Mayor Pro-Tem Spears and seconded by Councilmember Andrews.

Resolutions: Bond Financing and Refunding

Finance Director Martha Wayne presented two related resolutions. The first, R.1a, authorized an amendment to an installment financing contract in an amount not to exceed $75 million using limited obligation bonds. These bonds do not require voter approval and are not a pledge of City property taxes; they are secured by City payments and deeds of trust. Of the $75 million, $25 million is net new debt for capital projects including the parks maintenance facility, radio project, streets and sidewalk rehab, and Water Street Park improvements, and about $50 million is refunding. Expected savings are approximately $340,000 from the 2015A series and $1.4 million from the 2016 series. A public hearing will be held at the March 24, 2026 Council meeting, followed by Local Government Commission approval. Mayor Saffo asked about Water Street Park improvements; Wayne said about $1.5 million of the new debt would go toward the $3.4 million project. Wayne explained the timing is tied to project bidding and cash-flow needs. R.1a passed unanimously on a motion by Councilmember Andrews, seconded by Councilmember Santaguida.
The second resolution, R.1b, requested Local Government Commission approval for stormwater fee revenue refunding bonds not to exceed $15 million. No new debt would be issued, and the refunding is expected to save approximately $750,000. The bonds are repaid solely by stormwater fee revenues and are treated separately from the limited obligation bonds. R.1b passed unanimously on a motion by Councilmember Andrews, seconded by Councilmember Joyner.

Additional Council Comments and Closed Session

Councilmembers offered brief comments: Andrews wished a happy Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year; Spears described attending the funeral of a young man killed in the community and seeing 50 young people make a faith commitment; Clinton-Quintana urged kindness and voting; Lyle recommended an op-ed about housing affordability and tree preservation; and Saffo honored New Hanover High School sports legend Sonny Jurgensen.
Council unanimously voted to enter closed session pursuant to N.C. General Statute §143-318.11(a)(3) and (a)(9) to consult with the City Attorney about a potential legal matter and to instruct staff regarding the City's position on public safety. After reconvening, the Mayor reported that Council provided instructions to staff and no other action was taken.

Key Outcomes

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report was accepted for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
The Forensic Lab interlocal agreement with New Hanover County was approved 7-0.
The Front Street Bridge Rehabilitation contract was awarded to Saffo Contractors, Inc. for $2,449,650, approved 6-0 after Mayor Saffo's recusal.
The $140,300 ARPA supplemental appropriation and Salvation Army reimbursement were continued to the March 3, 2026 meeting for further information.
The Council authorized up to $75 million in limited obligation bond financing/refinancing and up to $15 million in stormwater fee revenue refunding bonds.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.; the next regular Council meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Call the meeting to order the Wilmington City Council, like to welcome all those who are with us here this evening and all those who are watching us at home. Thank you for taking an interest in your government. At this time, I'd like to ask and introduce Sergeant Ronald Evans of the Wilmington Police Department. If you'll please come forward and give our invocation if everyone will stand and afterwards, we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. Good evening, Mayor, Airport Tim Council. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we first and foremost just thank you for this day. We thank you for your continued grace and your continued mercy that you bestow upon us day in and day out. We ask that you continue to watch over us, keep us protected from the seen and the unseen. Cradle us in your arms and hold us close to your bosom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the United States. To the Republican stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice. We have several presentations this evening. If she'll meet me in the front with everybody. So Evelyn, this is yours. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Sappho, members of the City Council and staff. On behalf of the city's commission on African American history, I sincerely thank you for acknowledging and continuing to recognize the month of February as Black History Month. For many of us, however, Black History is not confined to a single month. It is lived and honored every day. Today, as we reflect, we also acknowledge the loss of another servant leader and civil rights advocate, Reverend Jesse Jackson. On May 8th, 1984, I had the distinct opportunity to meet Revan Jackson when he came to Wilmington to hold a rally announcing his candidacy for president of the United States. That moment remains as a powerful reminder of what civic courage and bold leadership looks like. Black history for me is deeply personal. It is a daily reflection on where my ancestors came from and what has they have endured and the sacrifices made so that we can move forward, never backward. I live in our lives. I'm sorry. It lives in our stories, our resilience and our responsibility to build building the foundation they have. It is founded in the teachings, moments of everyday life, the conversations, and the connections, the celebrations, and the commitments that allow a community to grow in spirit, in truth, and in love. As we honor this month, may we commit ourselves to the ongoing work of unity, justice, and progress, not only in February, but every single day. Thank you for continuing to acknowledge to stand with us in recognizing that history is American history and that it is strength, it strengthens us all. So we invite everyone here back at the Skyline Center on Saturday, February 21st at 5 p.m. as we honor and celebrate our next generation of leaders, individuals, tickets are $25, tables are $200. We look forward to seeing you there as we continue to uplift and invest in the future of our community. So as the late Reverend Jesse Jackson once said, keep hope alive. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, everyone. This time I like to recognize Mr. Carson Porter, executive director of the Wilmington Hammerheads, who is going to give us a report on the Encino Park activity, which I know is very active at this current time. Thank you. Amy, will you help? Oh, perfect. Thank you, Mayor Sappho. Um, city staff and members of city council. Um, it's always an honor to be in front of you guys, and I come with I come with good news tonight.

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