Wilmington City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall, Skyline Center. Mayor Saffo presided. Key actions included a first reading of an ordinance expanding criminal background checks for city employees, unanimous acceptance of a $500,000 Great Trails State Grant to replace Lions Bridge, and a public hearing on the proposed FY2027 budget that includes a 5.57-cent property tax increase.

Consent Calendar

• C1: Resolution authorizing an agreement with Hazen and Sawyer, P.C. for hydraulic modeling professional services at $116,900. Approved.
• C2: Resolution authorizing a three-year agreement with SHI International Corp. for Microsoft Enterprise Agreement renewal not to exceed $2,000,000. Approved.
• C3: Resolution authorizing a contract amendment with NU-Pipe, LLC for stormwater infrastructure repairs in the amount of $1,860,000. Approved.
• C4: Resolution authorizing the Hammerheads Soccer Club to serve alcoholic beverages at an event at nCino Sports Park. Approved.
• C5: Resolution supporting a multifamily housing facility and financing with bonds not to exceed $32,950,000. Approved.
• C6: Approval of the minutes of the May 4, 2026 regular meeting. Approved.
• All consent items passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• E.J. Hanley (city resident) requested additional funding for resurfacing the multi-use trail around Greenfield Lake Park, noting that only $55,000 in capital funding was allocated, which will repair minimal damage. She urged the city to prioritize more funding as the trail continues to degrade.
• Angie Hill (Executive Director, Family Promise of the Lower Cape Fear) and Arleashon Davis (tenant) spoke about a deed restriction on 709 Dawson Street. They asked the council to remove the restriction to allow Ms. Davis, who has lived there nine years, to purchase the home using City of Wilmington Home Ownership Pool (HOP) funding. The city attorney confirmed the council's desire to remove the restriction.
• Sonya Bennetone-Patrick (non-city resident, chair of Southeastern region of National Black Leadership Caucus) urged the creation of a Citizen Review Board for the Wilmington Police Department to build trust and review citizen complaints.
• Robin (city resident) highlighted food deserts on the north and south sides of the city, noting that residents in the north side food desert live 17 fewer years than others. She opposed a public contract with an outside company and advocated for community-based solutions.
• Nathaniel Burton (city resident) demanded justice for Ediberto Espinoza Sierra, who was killed by WPD on March 8. He also cited excessive force by an SRO at D.C. Virgo. He called for release of body camera footage and police accountability.
• Genesis Espinoza Sierra (non-city resident, sister of Ediberto) gave an emotional account, stating 610 people have signed a petition to have the officers arrested. She eyewitness accounts of officers kicking her brother’s lifeless body and asked the council to hold the police and sheriff’s department accountable.
• Tom Harris (city resident) spoke about the Living Hope Day Center, which only has funding through mid-to-late June. He requested the city and county contribute to sustain it, noting that the Endowment requires both public and private participation.

Public Hearings – Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget

• City Manager Becky Hawke presented the proposed $350 million budget (14% increase over FY26). Key points:
  • Proposed 5.57-cent property tax increase (5.34 cents to General Fund, 0.41 cents to Capital Programs).
  • One penny generates $3.5 million; 73% of pennies dedicated to public safety.
  • For a median home ($445,000), the city tax increase would be $21/month ($256/year).
  • Living wage implementation cost: $16.7 million ($14.2 million from General Fund). Currently 27% of funded positions earn less than 60% AMI ($45,531).
  • Other drivers: $3.9 million health insurance, $1.4 million insurance premiums, $736,000 retirement contributions, $535,000 utility rate increases.
  • Wave Transit requested an additional $400,000 from the city (total $800,000 split with county) for route realignment.
  • Updates since last work session: removed city council pay increase ($31,271) and one police equipment item ($29,000). Staff exploring five-year replacement cycle for computer hardware and potential contribution to Film Partnership of North Carolina.
• Public comments on the budget:
  • Tom Harris (also spoke earlier) opposed a blanket living wage, saying small businesses cannot match, and the floor would be $4 above the county’s $17/hour. He advocated for targeted raises for hard-to-fill positions.
  • Laurel Taylor (retired nurse) supported a tax increase but criticized 75% going to public safety when teachers don’t make a living wage.
  • Tom Morgan (retired, fixed income) opposed the 20% property tax increase; he recommended phasing in salary increases over three years to reduce tax burden. Said it would increase his tax $380/year (plus previous reval and county increase totals $880/year).
  • Jordan Scott (Volunteer Coordinator, Port City Harm Reduction) noted the organization may shut down; she contrasted the $475 from opioid settlement funds with the $2.96 million projected for the golf course, saying one fully staffed day program could be run for 14 months with that money.
  • Jordan Pettid (Firefighters Local 129) expressed strong support for the budget, living wage, and safety funding. He referenced the August 19 New Centre Drive explosion and noted firefighters work 900 more hours than general employees.
• Councilmember Andrews requested a timeline and budget for implementing the unsheltered homelessness strategy (day center, low-barrier shelters), stating that without a budget, there is no project. She asked for discussion at the next budget work session.
• Councilmember Santaguida requested clarification on why the living wage increases must be applied across the organization to avoid compression; the city manager explained the need to adjust the entire pay scale to maintain equity.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance O1 – Criminal History Background Checks and Credit History Checks (Section 8-5): City Attorney Meredith Everhart presented the three proposed changes: (1) criminal background checks for all final applicants, (2) checks for current employees applying for internal positions, and (3) random criminal background checks for current employees. Credit history checks remain unchanged. An appeals process exists for applicants with certain convictions; the city manager has discretion except for violent felonies within the last seven years. A lengthy debate ensued about equity, second chances, and liability. Councilmember Santaguida moved to adopt the ordinance as written, with a commitment to revisit other sections later. The motion passed 5-2 (Mayor Pro-Tem Spears and Councilmember Clinton-Quintana voted no). A second reading waiver failed 4-2, so it will come back on June 2.
• Item O2.A – Resolution to Accept Great Trails State Grant for Lions Bridge Replacement: $500,000 grant for phase I replacement. Passed unanimously (5-0).
• Item O2.B – Supplemental Appropriation Ordinance for $500,000 from Great Trails State Grant: Passed unanimously (6-0). Second reading waived unanimously.
• Resolution Adopting Letter of Support for UNC Highway Safety Research Center Safe Streets and Roads for All Supplemental Planning Grant (Walk-on): Andy Thompson, Division Engineer, explained the grant would develop a city-specific speed management plan with no cash match—only staff time. The council voted unanimously to waive rules and approved the resolution.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7-0.
• Ordinance O1 (background checks) passed first reading 5-2; second reading set for June 2, 2026.
• Great Trails State Grant accepted; Lions Bridge replacement proceeds with $500,000.
• Letter of Support for speed management grant approved unanimously.
• FY2027 Budget public hearing closed; further work session scheduled (May 2026).
• Closed Session held (10:00 PM) to discuss real property acquisition; no action taken.
• Next regular meeting: June 2, 2026.