Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting – March 24, 2026

Meeting Overview

The Wilmington City Council convened on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, consent agenda with several items pulled for discussion, public comments, a public hearing, ordinances, resolutions, and reports. The meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM after entering closed session.

Presentation

• Proclamation naming March 29, 2026 as Vietnam Veterans Day. Mayor Saffo presented the proclamation to Vietnam Veteran Mr. Rossie Nance, who made brief remarks thank the council and community.

Consent Calendar

• C1: Approved minutes of four prior meetings (Budget Worksession, Legislative Delegation, Agenda Briefing, Regular Council).
• C2: Authorized contract amendment of $461,840 with JENNS, LLC for brick street maintenance.
• C3: Declared 52 Motorola radios surplus for donation to Holly Ridge and New Hanover County.
• C4: Withdrawn. Resolution to authorize funding for Wilmington Police Department transition from shotguns to rifles was withdrawn by motion of Mayor Pro-Tem Spears, seconded by Councilmember Clinton-Quintana, carried unanimously.
• C5: Discussed separately (see below).
• C6: Authorized application for a $5,000 Governor’s Highway Safety Program FY27 BikeSafe Regional Coordinator Grant.
• C7: Authorized the Mayor to sign a public comment letter on Duke Energy’s Biennial Carbon Plan and Integrated Resource Plan.
• C8: Discussed separately (see below).
• The remaining consent items (C1, C2, C3, C6, C7) were approved unanimously on a single motion.

Items Pulled for Discussion

• C5: Resolution authorizing the purchase of 25 pursuit-rated Tahoes from Capital Chevrolet for $1,325,175 from the Fleet Replacement Fund. Councilmember Joyner noted the fleet transition study by ICF International, data collected June–November 2025, deadline extended to April 26, 2026. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• C8: Resolution amending Housing Affordability Advisory Committee bylaws to remove the requirement for a Homebuilders Association member. After debate, council agreed to keep the homebuilders seat and add two additional at-large members (total 13). Motion to approve as amended passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Pollock (city resident): Announced that Major James Capers, a highly decorated Marine, will receive the Medal of Honor after final Senate legislation passed in early March. He thanked the council for a prior supportive resolution.
• Joel Barrio (city resident): Opposed the now-withdrawn resolution for police rifle funding, citing the ongoing investigation into the shooting of Edilberto Espinoza-Sierra. He urged council not to approve such funding until the investigation concludes.

Public Hearings

• PH1: Resolution approving an amendment to an installment financing contract not to exceed $75,000,000 to finance and refinance various city projects. Finance Director Martha Wayne explained: $25 million new debt (parks maintenance, street/sidewalk rehab) and $50 million refinancing (estimated savings $340,000 from 2015A and $1.4 million from 2016 series). The item will go to the Local Government Commission on April 1, 2026, with planned closing in May. No public speakers. Motion to approve passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• O.1: Ordinance amending City Code Chapter 1 (definitions). City Attorney Meredith Everhart said this is part of a systematic code rewrite. No substantive changes. Approved unanimously on first reading; second reading waived unanimously.
• O.2a: Resolution accepting public streets, pedestrian improvements, and storm drainage facilities within William Booth Drive. Plan Review Engineer Rob Gordon corrected the total roadway construction cost to $1,464,758 (including change orders) and total roadway value to $1,581,110. 0.45 miles of roadway accepted. Approved unanimously.
• O.2b: Ordinance establishing a 25 mph speed limit on William Booth Drive. Approved unanimously on first reading; second reading waived unanimously.
• R1: Resolution authorizing issuance of not-to-exceed $15,000,000 Storm Water Fee Revenue Refunding Bonds (no new debt, estimated savings $750,000). Approved unanimously.
• R2: Resolution to sign the Cape Fear Council of Governments’ joint letter to the Environmental Management Commission opposing Fuquay-Varina’s proposed interbasin transfer request (6 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River). Councilmember Clinton-Quintana read contact information for public comments (Maya Holcomb at DEQ). Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• RP1: Report of Council’s Appointments Committee. Chair Andrews presented appointments to multiple boards/commissions (Trinity Dunlap to Convention Center Advisory; Atiba Johnson to Downtown Steering; Michael Maurer to Sports Park; four appointments to Community Relations Advisory; Nancy Bullock to Sister Cities; removal of Laura Blair for lack of attendance; reappointments to Port/Waterway/Beach Commission; Councilmember Santaguida to Thalian Association; Councilmember Joyner reappointed to Thalian Hall Board; six appointments to Housing Affordability Advisory). Motion to approve passed unanimously. Andrews also listed current vacancies.

Key Outcomes

• C4 withdrawn: No funding approved for police rifle transition.
• C5 approved: $1,325,175 authorized for police vehicle purchase.
• C8 approved (amended): Housing Affordability Advisory Committee bylaws amended to retain homebuilders seat and add two at-large members.
• PH1 approved: $75 million financing contract (new debt + refinancing) authorized.
• O.1, O.2a, O.2b approved: Code amendment, street acceptance, and speed limit established.
• R1 approved: $15 million stormwater refunding bonds authorized.
• R2 approved: Council joins regional opposition to interbasin transfer.
• RP1 approved: All appointments confirmed; vacancy list updated.
• Closed session: Council entered closed session (GS 143-318.11(a)(3)) to consult with the City Attorney regarding Carson v City; no further action announced.

Additional Notes

• Councilmembers shared progress updates: Santaguida reflected on first 100 days; Andrews announced an open house for federal funding request ($17.5 million) to replace the downtown riverfront bulkhead at the former Coast Guard Cutter Diligent site (March 25, 5:30–7:30 PM in City Hall); Joyner highlighted FEMA reform discussions at the National League of Cities Conference; Clinton-Quintana urged an end to violence; Lyle promoted the Wilmington Tea Walk commemorative event on March 26.