Wilmington City Council Meeting Summary - August 18, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall, Skyline Center, 929 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC. Mayor Saffo presided with Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Spears and Councilmembers David Joyner, Salette Andrews, J.C. Lyle, Cassidy Santaguida, and Chakema Clinton-Quintana. The meeting included presentations, a consent agenda, public comment, ordinances, resolutions, appointments, and a closed session; the Council adjourned at 11:20 p.m. The next regular meeting is September 1, 2026.

Presentations

• Susan H. Habas, Executive Director of the Thalian Association Community Theatre, reported on the Hannah Block Historic USO Community Arts Center. Last year 67,202 people attended events, the building was open 6,975 hours, 35 nonprofit organizations used space at no charge, and 206 classes were taught. She highlighted youth programs, 30 public performances, 10 free school shows including sensory-friendly performances, adult 55+ programming, World War II history exhibits, and America 250 events. A $1 preservation fee on every ticketed event helps fund preservation improvements.
• Mike Kozlosky, Executive Director of the Wilmington Urban Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO), presented the WMPO annual report. WMPO serves about 300,000 people across a 494-square-mile area, seven municipalities, and portions of three counties. Over the past year the Board: worked with Senator Lee's office on e-bike classification and regulation that became law in early July; removed the Independence Boulevard Extension from the 2026-2035 STIP while keeping it in the long-range plan; continued exploring Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement and funding; adopted the 2026-2035 STIP; submitted 42 projects under prioritization 8.0; selected five local projects over three years, including about $2.7 million for the Kerr Avenue Trail; reviewed 439 development plans, 83 traffic impact analyses, and collected 444 traffic counts; and grew its newsletter to more than 12,000 subscribers.
• In response to questions, Mr. Kozlosky said a traffic impact analysis is triggered by development generating 100 AM or PM peak-hour trips; a driveway permit review still involves analysis below that threshold. On the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, he said the cost exceeds $1 billion while available funding is about $327 million, and absent a toll the only option that 'moves the needle' would be a local option sales tax requiring a referendum. Councilmember Santaguida announced NCDOT public hearings on September 14 in Wilmington and September 15 in Leland.

Consent Calendar

• Councilmember Andrews pulled item C1 (Flemington Landfill environmental services contract) for discussion. Assistant Director Sally Thigpen said a firm quote of about $40,000 per year was the benchmark when the RFQ was issued, and staff expects the negotiated scope and fee to be in that range. C1 was then approved unanimously.
• The remaining consent items C2-C8 were approved unanimously. These included: a $245,000 boating infrastructure grant application with a $255,000 local match for the Hilton Bulkhead Corrosion Repair Project; an HVAC/building automation agreement with Piedmont Service Group; conditional release of drainage easements at RiverLights; a one-year janitorial services extension with CSI International; an interlocal agreement for School Resource Officers with New Hanover County and the Board of Education; changes to the Mayor and Council pay calendar; and approval of the August 3 and August 4, 2026 minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Braga (Wilmington DSA) described a timeline of negotiations with the City and WAVE over bus stop benches, criticized the City's public-safety justification despite no known instance of harm, and argued that standing in heat or on curbs is a public safety issue. He stated permanent WAVE-approved benches would cost $150,000 and urged the City to install them or work with DSA to maintain temporary benches.
• Joel Barrio (Wilmington DSA) said about 30 DSA benches were removed, that less than 10% of Wilmington's 400+ bus stops have benches or shelters, and that taxpayer-funded benches cost $5,000-$20,000 each. He said DSA does not regret the action and remains committed to a resolution.
• Jordan Reed spoke in support of the benches, saying they cost the City nothing and provide dignity, kindness, and mercy to transit riders; she asked the Council to 'give our neighbors a place to sit.'
• Diana Hill opposed the College Road Wawa gas station. She cited 1,500-2,500 daily Wawa customers, 80,000 cars passing the College Road site near UNCW, and the applicant's 43 parking spaces (twice the allowed number). She questioned the claimed 'staff changing' need, the relocation of NCDOT trees, University Drive traffic, and the many variances granted, including no TIA and one entrance/exit.
• Roderick Bell, President of Wilmington Riverfest, said the proposed parking-lot site at Nutt and Brunswick Streets is unsafe, creates ADA concerns, has one way in and one way out, and is a logistical nightmare. He said vendors and sponsors are pulling out and that he prefers Front Street between Red Cross and Princess; he had a meeting with staff scheduled for the next day.
• Ms. Chapman opposed the DSA benches, saying a political organization should not leverage influence in the community and that the benches carried political messaging such as 'Everything for Everyone.' She argued DSA should have consulted the City about ADA compliance and asked Council not to engage with the benches.
• Jade raised ADA concerns beyond benches, including inaccessible access to the Old Courthouse, grandfathered downtown buildings, and burdens on wheelchair users. She asked the Council to open a dialogue with the local disability community and to treat accessibility as a tourism concern.
• Jack Pollock announced that Wilmington has been designated a Navy Week City next year, bringing assets to the Azalea Festival, and thanked Council and staff for support.

Ordinances

• O1.A (Ordinance appropriating $68,853 from the sale of SABLE assets to the SABLE-UAS Program): Police Chief Ryan Zuidema explained the revenue came from surplus helicopter program parts no longer needed and will support the drone program that replaced the helicopter program. The ordinance passed unanimously, and the second reading was waived unanimously.
• O1.B (Resolution declaring certain SABLE helicopter equipment surplus and donating it to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office): Chief Zuidema said the donation preserves regional benefit because Brunswick County operates a helicopter that can use the parts, while resale on GovDeals would be uncertain and carry hidden costs. The resolution passed unanimously; the agenda records the vote as 6-0 while the minutes and transcript record it as unanimous.

Resolutions

• R1 (Dawson Lofts II affordable housing gap financing): Community Housing Director Rachel Schuler presented an 86-unit affordable tax-credit development by BRAD WHA (Blue Ridge Cascade and the Wilmington Housing Authority) at Jervay, replacing units damaged by Hurricane Florence. Rents serve households up to 80% of area median income (AMI); the unit mix is 17 at 30% AMI, 23 at 50%, 31 at 60%, and 15 at 80%. Most units will be supported by WHA project-based vouchers. WHA Executive Director Tyrone Garrett said 83 units at Jervay are currently occupied and the average resident income is below 60% AMI; the lower the AMI, the more subsidy is needed to avoid a deficit. Because $660,000 had already been committed to the project under a previous WHA arrangement, staff recommended $1.5 million. Applicant Sam Weldon said costs had risen and requested $2 million, noting other local funders are limited. Councilmember Andrews said the funds are not spent unless tax credits and the project move forward. Mayor Pro-Tem Spears moved a $2 million loan at 2% interest; a friendly amendment to $2 million at 1.5% was rejected. The motion passed 4-3, with Councilmembers Joyner, Lyle, and Santaguida voting no.
• R2 (Eastwood Road Access Management Phase II): Project Manager Kyle Burden said Highland Paving Co. was the lowest responsible, responsive bidder among two bids for a $2,430,217 contract. The project includes a landscaped median, signal and pedestrian improvements, and resurfacing from Rogersville Road to Cavalier Drive. Lidl contributed $1,281,500 under its development agreement. Construction is expected to start in two to three months and last five months. The resolution passed 7-0.
• R3 (Dawson and Wooster Streetscape Improvements): Mr. Burden said King Asphalt, Inc. received the $4,378,734 contract after a rebid that came in about $1.2 million lower than the original bid. The project fills sidewalk gaps, adds curb bump-outs, improves pedestrian and ADA access, and resurfaces Dawson and Wooster Streets between 3rd and 17th Streets. Staff will establish a 15% construction contingency of $656,850. NCDOT's guaranteed contribution is about $1.7 million, up to $2.165 million with overruns. Completion is expected before the end of calendar year 2027. The resolution passed 7-0.

Reports and Appointments

• Councilmember Andrews, chair of the Appointments Committee, presented appointments and reappointments to multiple boards and commissions, including the Housing Affordability Advisory Committee, Convention Center Advisory Committee, Loan Review Board, Commission for Women, Downtown Parking Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Commission, and Sister City Commission. Two Municipal Services District members were removed due to lack of attendance. City Clerk Penelope Spicer-Sidbury confirmed an uptick in board applications and that the Clerk's office verifies residency for appointments requiring city residents. The report was approved 7-0.

Additional Council Items

• Councilmember Santaguida wished students, teachers, and families a great school year and repeated the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge public hearing dates.
• Councilmember Andrews reported that the Making Waves Foundation approved 10 grants to local organizations for free and discounted WAVE Transit bus passes, providing $6,500 in funding and $12,800 in transportation assistance. Making Waves also received a $10,000 grant from the Landfall Foundation, and WAVE staff created Adopt-a-Stop and Adopt-an-Amenity programs.
• Councilmember Clinton-Quintana commented, 'All benches matter.'

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda C2-C8 approved 7-0; C1 pulled and then approved unanimously.
• O1.A approved 7-0 with second reading waived; O1.B approved unanimously (agenda records 6-0).
• R1 approved 4-3: $2 million loan at 2% interest for Dawson Lofts II.
• R2 approved 7-0.
• R3 approved 7-0.
• Appointments report approved 7-0.
• Council voted unanimously to enter closed session under N.C. Gen. Stat. §143-318.11(a)(4) and (a)(6) to discuss economic development incentives and prospective public officers/employees. After reconvening, the Mayor reported that Council provided instructions and guidance to the City Attorney; no other action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m.