Wilmington City Council Regular Meeting – June 2, 2026

The Wilmington City Council held a regular meeting on June 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included two proclamations, a consent agenda, public comments, and several resolutions and ordinances. The council adopted a budget with a 4.9-cent property tax increase (4-3) and passed resolutions urging NCDOT to consider traffic impacts of overlapping projects, supporting e-bike regulation legislation, and supporting Navy Week’s return.

Proclamations

• June 5, 2026 was proclaimed National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Katie Schmidt (Co-Chair, Moms Demand Action) accepted and made brief remarks.
• June 2026 was proclaimed Pride Month. Cynthia Campbell (Vice Chair, LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Board) accepted and made brief remarks.

Consent Calendar

• C1: Resolution rejecting the bid for the Downtown Alley Improvements Project (passed 7-0).
• C2: Resolution designating official depositories for city funds (passed 7-0).
• C3: Resolution adopting comments on the proposed Programmatic Agreement regarding the Transportation Program in North Carolina (passed 7-0).
• C4: Approval of minutes from May 18 and May 19, 2026 meetings (passed 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elizabeth Sheats and Daisy Barbour (local artists): Spoke about the struggling arts scene in Wilmington, noting that the Castle Street Arts and Antiques District and Brooklyn Arts District have lost galleries. They urged the council to develop a comprehensive plan for visual arts, citing examples from Charleston, Savannah, and Raleigh.
• Nancy Patch (city resident): Expressed concern that NCDOT and WMPO ignored the council’s 2025 resolution and public outcry for a public hearing on the U-5710 (Eastwood Flyover) project. She cited four post-approval changes that she argued should trigger public re-engagement under NCDOT rules, and asked the council to request a STIP amendment.
• Peter Loftus (city resident): Supported the resolution but urged more action. He argued that traffic volume projections for the intersection have not materialized, accident data (54 accidents over 10 years) suggests operator error, and cheaper alternatives exist (e.g., enforcing traffic laws, fully using the Drysdale Drive extension, implementing AI-based traffic signal management). He urged the council to go beyond a resolution.
• Natalie English (Executive Director, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce): Spoke in support of the FY27 budget, highlighting the chamber board’s supermajority vote to support continued investment in core government functions (public safety, competitive compensation). She also encouraged the city to evaluate opportunities related to Convention Center expansion, hotel development, and parking.
• James DeHaven (city resident): Opposed the simultaneous undertaking of the Eastwood Road Overpass and Wrightsville Beach bridge replacements, warning of irreparable economic damage to area businesses. He cited conversations with business owners planning to terminate leases or close. He asked the council to pass the resolution and urge NCDOT to postpone the overpass until bridge repairs are complete.
• Tom Harris (part-time city resident): Thanked the city manager for restoring the first hour of free parking and $250,000 annually to the Parking Enterprise Fund. He raised concerns about free parking spaces given to a Skyline Center tenant without compensating the parking fund, and argued that the parking deck was overvalued in the appraisal.
• Diana Hill (city resident): Expressed strong support for the proposed budget, especially living wage for all staff. She noted that New Hanover County ranks third in the state for alcohol sales receipts and first per capita, requiring a well-compensated workforce. She urged the council to invest in public safety.
• Troy Herring (Solid Waste Department employee): Spoke about the challenging conditions of his job and expressed pride in serving the community. He urged the council to approve a living wage for blue-collar workers, stating that many are the lowest-paid full-time employees and need relief.
• Ty Greene (city resident): Supported Flock cameras for crime prevention, noting that Wilmington is a safe place. He highlighted federal assistance in the Cape Fear Escorts human trafficking case, which involved over 200 women exploited over 12 years.

Discussion Items

• R1: Resolution Urging NCDOT to Consider Traffic Impacts of Eastwood Road Overpass and Wrightsville Beach Bridge Replacements – The council waived rules to hear this item out of order. Mayor Saffo noted significant community concerns, including the last public hearing in 2018, and stated he had contacted the Governor’s Office and NCDOT Secretary. The resolution passed 7-0.
• O1: Ordinance on Criminal History and Credit History Background Checks (Second Reading) – City Attorney Everhart had no follow-up questions. The ordinance passed 5-2 (Mayor Pro-Tem Spears and Councilmember Clinton-Quintana voted no).
• O2.A, O2.B, O2.C: Budget Ordinances – City Manager Hawke presented three tax rate options: 5.75 cents (proposed), 5.5 cents (discussed Friday), and 4.9 cents (proposed by some council members). The 4.9-cent rate would require using about $2.5 million in fund balance for one-time police vehicle purchases. Hawke noted that even with the reduced rate, over 70% of increased costs go to police and fire, and health insurance alone accounts for 1 cent of the tax rate. Councilmember Joyner moved to approve the substitute ordinance at 4.9 cents. After debate, the motion passed 4-3 (Mayor Pro-Tem Spears, Councilmembers Andrews and Clinton-Quintana voted no). The capital projects fund (O2.B) passed 5-2, and the fee schedule (O2.C) passed 7-0. Second readings were scheduled for June 16, 2026.
• O3: Ordinance for Limited Obligation Bonds, Series 2026 – CFO Martha Wayne reported that the bonds closed May 21, 2026, saving approximately $1.8 million via refunding. The ordinance passed 7-0, and second reading was waived.
• O4: Ordinance for Storm Water Management Fund Revenue Bonds Refunding, Series 2015A – Wayne reported savings of $476,000. Passed 7-0, second reading waived.
• O5: Ordinance to Amend Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Fund for Greenville Loop Rd. Future Park – The purchase price was $9.7 million (City $1M, County $1M, Endowment $7.75M). Administrative ordinance passed 7-0, second reading waived.
• O6: Ordinance Amending Various Grant Funds – Cleanup of CDBG and HOME grants. Passed 7-0, second reading waived.
• O7.A and O7.B: Cando Street and Cronely Alley – Resolution accepting streets and drainage, and ordinance appropriating $12,011 payment-in-lieu. Both passed 7-0, second reading waived for O7.B.
• O8.A and O8.B: Woodlands at Echo Farms, Tract 2 – Resolution accepting streets and ordinance establishing 25 mph speed limit. Both passed 7-0, second reading waived for O8.B.
• R2: Resolution Supporting NC Senate Bill 970 / House Bill 1084 (E-bike Regulations) – Councilmember Santaguida explained the legislation would classify e-bikes into three categories and allow municipalities to regulate speeds, helmets, and age. City Attorney Everhart confirmed enforcement would be as an infraction or Class 3 misdemeanor. Passed 7-0.
• R3: Resolution Supporting Navy Week’s Return to Wilmington – Jack Pollock (Planning Commission member) noted Navy Week was held during Azalea Festival in 2019 and 2023, and they seek to bring it back for the 80th anniversary. The Navy has narrowed the list to 20, with 12 events to be sponsored. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Budget approved (first reading) with a 4.9-cent property tax increase (per $100 valuation) for FY27, using $2.5 million from fund balance for police vehicles. Votes: O2.A passed 4-3; O2.B passed 5-2; O2.C passed 7-0. Second readings set for June 16, 2026.
• Resolution R1 (Eastwood Road/Wrightsville Beach bridges) adopted 7-0, urging NCDOT to mitigate traffic impacts.
• Ordinance O1 (background checks) adopted 5-2.
• Resolutions R2 (e-bike legislation support) and R3 (Navy Week support) both adopted 7-0.
• All other ordinances and resolutions passed unanimously or as noted, with second readings waived where applicable.
• Councilmember Ann Andrews announced that Living Hope Day Center, which serves unsheltered residents, is losing its space and has started a GoFundMe for a new location.
• Councilmember Joyner noted that the Independence Road extension was removed from the STIP at the recent WMPO meeting.