Wilmington City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on April 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, Skyline Center. Mayor Bill Saffo presided, with all council members present. The meeting included a proclamation, consent agenda items, public comments, public hearings, two ordinances, a resolution, and appointments. The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• C1: Resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office for the Justice Assistance Grant Program. (Approved)
• C2: Resolution awarding a $1,190,000 construction contract to Terry Spell Mechanical Services, Inc. for Signal Preemption for Emergency Vehicles Phase II. Pulled for discussion; traffic signal timing at Market Street and Cinema Drive was discussed. Approved 7-0.
• C3: Resolution to authorize participation in additional opioid litigation. (Approved)
• C4: Resolution authorizing $440,091 for up-fitting 25 police vehicles from Mobile Communications America. (Approved)
• C5: Resolution amending the 2026 Council meeting schedule. Pulled for discussion; approved 7-0, including canceling the May 4 morning agenda briefing.
• C6: Approval of minutes from March 24, March 27, April 6, and April 7, 2026 meetings. (Approved)

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Braga and Jocelyn Beam (Siembra NC) urged Council to pass a resolution making Wilmington a Fourth Amendment workplace city, citing warrantless ICE actions elsewhere and offering free training for city employees. They emphasized this does not create a sanctuary city but protects constitutional rights.
• Emily Caulder spoke in opposition to a proposed HUD rule change that would reduce eviction notices from 30 to 7 days for public housing, calling it "inhumane" and noting 52% of Wilmington residents rent. She thanked Councilmembers Santaguida and Joyner for bringing the issue forward.
• Ty Green, a Brooklyn Arts District resident, expressed concerns about parking capacity during social district events, citing 3,000 empty parking spaces nearby, and asked the city to balance residential and business needs. He stated he is not opposed to social districting.
• Angelica Ulmer inquired about the status of "God Pods" (low-cost mini housing approved in 2024) and requested city funding for the Living Hope Day Shelter, noting a $200,000 grant from the New Hanover County Endowment may not be recurring.
• Max Hammer and Be Lanier (NC Tobacco 21 Youth Council) shared personal stories about youth vaping and asked Council to sign a resolution supporting "Solly’s Law" (House Bill 430 / Senate Bill 318) to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. Solomon Wynn was born, educated, and died in New Hanover County.

Public Hearings

• PH1 (Continued): Ordinance designating the Mary Etta Williams House at 709 North 8th Street as a local historic landmark was deferred by staff due to ownership issues. Council voted 6-0 to continue.
• PH2 (Approved): Rezoning of 0.349 acres at 136 East Westwood Drive from MH (Manufactured Housing) to R-15 (Moderate-Density Single-Dwelling). Staff and applicant Cindee Wolfe noted the change allows stick-built homes, consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. Council approved 6-0, with a consistency statement, and waived second reading.

Ordinances

• O1 (Approved 7-0): Ordinance appropriating $3,427,210 from the Debt Service Fund to prepay the remaining balance on the 2023B taxable variable rate loan for the Skyline Center acquisition. Finance Director Martha Wayne explained this reduces risk from variable interest rates and leaves $40.3 million in remaining debt. Second reading waived.
• O2 (Approved 5-2): Ordinance amending the Brooklyn Arts District Collective Social District to permit weekly operations on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., expanding from the previous first and third Saturdays. The vote was 5-2, with Mayor Pro-Tem Spears and Councilmember Clinton-Quintana voting no. The ordinance includes a six-month trial period (April–October) with automatic continuation if no ill effects are found. Staff will convene a special Social District Advisory Committee meeting after Labor Day and report to Council.

Resolutions

• R1 (Approved 7-0): Resolution in support of keeping the 30-day notification requirement prior to termination of lease for nonpayment of rent in public housing. Councilmember Santaguida and Joyner sponsored it, citing the importance of providing tenants time to cure violations and recertify income. The resolution will be sent to HUD.

Reports

• RP1 (Approved 7-0): Council’s Appointments Committee recommended appointments to several boards and commissions, including the Commission on African American History, Community Relations Advisory Committee, Housing Affordability Advisory Committee, Convention Center Advisory Committee, Loan Review Board, and Sister City Commission.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items (C1–C6) approved; C2 and C5 included additional discussion.
• Rezoning at 136 East Westwood Drive approved, allowing a stick-built home with an accessory dwelling unit.
• Skyline Center debt prepayment approved, reducing exposure to variable interest rates.
• Brooklyn Arts social district expanded to weekly Saturdays with a six-month pilot period; staff will report back after Labor Day.
• Resolution supporting 30-day eviction notice requirement approved.
• Historic landmark designation continued due to ownership issues.
• Appointments to seven boards/commissions approved.
• Council members highlighted Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Earth Day (with a PFAS public hearing on April 23), the Honor Flight of Cape Fear veterans, and criticized a proposed constitutional amendment on property tax limits as misleading.