Wilmington City Council Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met on June 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Skyline Center. The meeting included a proclamation, consent agenda with two items pulled for discussion, public comments, two public hearings, several ordinances and resolutions (including the FY27 budget), and a walk-on resolution opposing House Bill 437. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• C1 (NSEA Swim contract) : Resolution authorizing a three-year contract renewal with Nseaswim to manage the Earl Jackson Pool at Northside Park for $333,344 in FY27 (including a 5% built-in increase and $130,000 for utilities transferred to Nseaswim). Pulled for discussion but passed 7-0.
• C6 (WHA police officers) : Resolution renewing an interlocal agreement to assign three Wilmington Police Officers to Wilmington Housing Authority property. Pulled for discussion but passed 7-0.
• All other consent items (C2–C5, C7–C18) were approved unanimously, including resolutions for uncollectible accounts, janitorial supplies, ShotSpotter lease, police records management, leather gear, forensic lab interlocal, HDR Engineering lease, drainage easements, deed amendment at 709 Dawson Street, Wilmington Harbor improvements comments, transit-oriented development grant, occupational health provider, Assistance to Firefighters Grant application ($2,000,000 with $200,000 local match and $624,890 additional city funding), surplus donation to Columbus County, parks operations facility design contract amendment ($86,850), and approval of June 1 and June 2, 2026 meeting minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hinnant (city resident, real estate appraiser): Opposed the proposed 4.9-cent tax increase, suggesting a phase-in over two years. Stated that most homeowners have seen a 25% increase (and some over 50%) from the 2025 revaluation. Urged focusing on public safety and using private sector for mowing and janitorial. Criticized downtown parking meter fees as discriminatory against downtown businesses.
• Joan Keston (Historic Preservation Commission member, speaking personally): Expressed concern about the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, especially the lack of transparency about financing and construction entities. Called for a resolution from Council to require a transparent audit and analysis of potential conflicts of interest. Raised questions about tolls, impacts on historic Wilmington, and the public-private partnership (P3) process.
• Jordan Pettid (non-city resident, firefighter): Strongly supported the budget and living wage for city employees, particularly firefighters. Highlighted that firefighters work 2,912 hours per year and often need second jobs, making it hard to process traumatic calls. Stated that a living wage would improve retention and recruitment and that all city employees support public safety. Urged Council to approve the budget.
• Tom Harris (city resident): Supported a tax increase but asked Council to reconsider leaving the bottom rung of wages for less-skilled positions, as those are not hard to fill. Suggested pausing wage increases except for positions identified by a study. Also questioned the choice of police pursuit vehicles, noting a $10,000 difference between a Ford Explorer and a Tahoe, and asked Council to use discretion on that and other spending.
• Anthony Abbanette (downtown resident): Criticized the city manager for canceling attendance of senior staff at a scheduled NAPCA quality-of-life program meeting. Questioned why the city asks for a tax increase when current funds are not being used to address downtown safety issues. Stated that the city must listen to stakeholders and devote current resources to present problems before asking for more.
• Mark Mylomski (city resident): Supported the budget and living wage, but suggested improvements: incentivizing city employees to reside within city limits, and funding police vehicles from the budget rather than emergency funds. Argued that residents choose Wilmington for its services and that the tax increase is a good return on investment.

Discussion Items

• PH1 – Greater Downtown Plan Adoption: Linda Painter, Planning Director, presented the two-year community engagement process that resulted in the plan, which replaces three older small-area plans. Key themes: local character, economy (including affordable housing), small business, mobility, and resilience woven throughout. Highlights: 6,300 participants; top priorities were safe walking/biking, affordable housing, green spaces, and making streets safer. The plan includes focus areas such as the Northern Riverfront and Cape Fear Memorial Bridge advocacy (retain landings at 3rd Street, avoid historic destruction, keep aesthetic icon). Implementation includes a district master plan for city-owned properties (RFQs to be released this week), a community engagement platform, and a tracking dashboard. Council asked about timetables (RFQ response: 3 weeks), transparency dashboard, and grocery store feasibility. Public speakers: Ty Greene (North 4th St.) asked for parking plan; Jan Brewington (Historic Wilmington Foundation) supported plan, preferred stronger bridge language but recognized consistency; Natalie English (Chamber of Commerce) praised engagement and thanked staff for addressing concerns about the Central Business District; Dennis McGarry (Residents of Old Wilmington) emphasized bridge should not harm traffic or historic areas; John Hinnant suggested an implementation committee like Vision 2020 and using private-sector grocery data. Plan adopted 7-0, second reading waived.
• PH2 – Land Development Code Amendments: Staff proposed amendments to administrative provisions (remove waiting period for reapplication after denial per state law; update application requirements), dimensional requirements (fix omitted minimum lot area for townhouses in R-7 district; add elevator/mechanical rooms to height exemptions), and floodplain requirements (move standards to be consistent with state model and New Hanover County; apply pool/spa anchoring requirements only to coastal high hazard areas). Also corrects typographical errors. Council questions: Mayor Saffo asked about pool restrictions in flood hazard areas; staff clarified that anchoring is required and the change simplifies by applying only to high-hazard zones. Councilmember Joyner asked about process for identifying elevator/mechanical rooms on buildings. Public hearing had no speakers. Ordinance adopted 7-0, second reading waived.
• O1.A, O1.B, O1.C – FY27 Budget Ordinances: City Manager Becky Hawke confirmed the budget includes a 4.9-cent property tax increase per $100 valuation (reduced from earlier 6.25 cents). 70% of the increase funds police and fire. Council debate: Councilmember Andrews voted no, citing concern over using fund balance (approx. $2 million) to reduce the tax increase; she argued recurring expenses should be funded with recurring revenue and that fund balance should be preserved for emergencies. Councilmember Lyle supported, noting 70% goes to public safety and the budget addresses services like roads, parks, and trash. Councilmember Santaguida supported, stating her taxes would increase ~$18/month, which is a good return for improved services and a living wage. She asked about fund balance: CFO Martha Wayne estimated ending fund balance at 22% ($40.4 million unassigned). Councilmember Joyner highlighted that 29 FTEs were eliminated through realignment, net reduction of >20 positions. He noted that 0.41 cents of the 4.9 cents funds capital projects, unlocking $31 million in debt capacity for infrastructure (bridges, roads, trails). Mayor Pro-Tem Spears opposed the implementation method, preferring a phase-in of both the living wage and tax increase. Councilmember Clinton-Quintana expressed concern for residents who will suffer but supported living wage. Votes: O1.A passed 4-3 (Spears, Andrews, Clinton-Quintana no); O1.B passed 5-2 (Spears and Clinton-Quintana no); O1.C (fee schedule) passed 7-0.
• O2 – Domestic Animal Waste Ordinance: Deputy City Manager Thom Moton presented an amendment to exempt working animals deployed by governmental entities from waste cleanup requirements, to allow use of goats for vegetation management. City plans to own 6-8 goats, with 4-6 working, for use on steep slopes, environmentally sensitive areas, and parks where controlled burns are not feasible. Cost estimated at a few thousand dollars per year. Goats will be housed away from residential areas. Council questions: Councilmember Santaguida asked about timeline – permits and tags take at least 6 weeks, hope to have goats by end of summer. Councilmember Clinton-Quintana asked about smell – Moton said they will manage nuisances and goats will be far from residences. Councilmember Andrews voted no, expressing concern about cleanup after the goats and the precedent of not requiring immediate removal. She also asked about cost and noted horses were a budget issue last year. Passed 6-1 (Andrews no). Second reading waived.
• O3 – GASB Accounting Compliance: CFO Martha Wayne presented an ordinance to record right-to-use assets as liabilities for leases and subscription IT agreements, with no fund balance impact. Passed 7-0, second reading waived.
• R1.A, R1.B, R1.C – ARPA Fund Reallocations: Martha Wayne explained the final reallocation of remaining $25.9 million in ARPA funds. $18,639 added to 10th and Grace Streets intersection improvements (total cost $444,109) and $58,243 to Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau for wayfinding/gateway signs. Supplemental appropriation of $76,882 to complete the reallocation. All three items passed 7-0, second reading waived for the ordinance.
• R2.A and R2.B – RiverLights Street Acceptance and Speed Limit: Traffic Engineer Denys Vielkanowitz presented acceptance of 3.3 miles of roads and drainage from RiverLights single-family phases 2 and 4, and a companion ordinance setting a 25 mph speed limit. Roads were constructed in 2017/2018 and meet city standards. Resolutions passed 6-0 (Councilmember Lyle absent for vote? Minutes show 6-0). Second reading waived for ordinance.
• Walk-On: Resolution Opposing House Bill 437: Mayor Saffo introduced a resolution opposing HB 437, which would ban unauthorized camping/sleeping statewide and allow lawsuits against local governments for noncompliance, described as an unfunded mandate. The city currently spends $1.1 million on homeless services; the county spends $5.5 million. The resolution states local governments are best positioned to address homelessness. Council voted unanimously to waive rules and passed the resolution 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• FY27 Budget (O1.A): Approved 4-3 with a 4.9-cent property tax increase. Fund balance projected at 22% ($40.4 million unassigned). 70% of increase funds police and fire. 0.41 cents dedicated to capital projects unlocking $31 million in debt capacity.
• Capital Projects Fund (O1.B): Approved 5-2.
• Fee Schedule (O1.C): Approved 7-0.
• Greater Downtown Plan (PH1): Adopted 7-0 as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan; second reading waived.
• Land Development Code Amendments (PH2): Approved 7-0; second reading waived.
• Domestic Animal Waste Ordinance (O2): Approved 6-1; second reading waived.
• GASB Compliance Ordinance (O3): Approved 7-0; second reading waived.
• ARPA Reallocations (R1.A, R1.B, R1.C): All approved 7-0; second reading waived for ordinance.
• RiverLights Streets (R2.A, R2.B): Approved 6-0; second reading waived for ordinance.
• Resolution Opposing HB 437: Approved unanimously as a walk-on item.
• Appointments Committee Report: Approved 7-0, including reappointments to CFPUA, Historic Preservation Commission, Commission for Women, Tree Commission, and new appointments to Convention Center Advisory Committee, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Sister City Commission, and Thalian Association.
• Consent Agenda Items C1 and C6: Approved 7-0 after discussion.
• Next regular meeting: July 21, 2026.