Wilmington City Council Meeting – September 1, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall, 929 N. Front Street. The meeting included a proclamation, heritage tree awards, consent agenda approvals, public testimony on multiple topics, and votes on ordinances and resolutions. The most debated item was Resolution R2, which adopted comments on the Environmental Assessment for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement and called for elimination of the fixed‑span alternative (Alternative B). The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.

Presentation

• Mayor Saffo read a proclamation naming the week of September 7–13, 2026 as National Patriotism Week and presented it to the Exalted Ruler of Wilmington Elks Lodge #532.
• Tom Boland, Chair of the Wilmington Tree Commission, presented Heritage Tree Awards to Diane Farris, Kathleen Jewel, Paula Crozier, and Shane Leppard for notable trees on their properties.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7‑0) and included:

• One‑year extension of a janitorial services contract with CSI International, Inc. for up to $427,802.
• Conditional release of a drainage easement off Garris Road.
• Renewal of a one‑year agreement with Smartsheet, Inc. for $105,840 (with options for two additional years, not to exceed $333,660).
• Annual contract renewal with CIP Planner Corporation for $130,674 (with options for two additional years, not to exceed $411,954).
• Authorization to apply for Surface Transportation Block Grant funds: $2,120,000 for sidewalk completion on New Centre Drive, and $2,304,000 for Medical Center Drive sidewalk and roadway improvements.
• Aerial easement with CMT Real Property, LLC on River Road.
• Approval of minutes from the August 17 and August 18, 2026 meetings.

Public Comments & Testimony

Fourteen speakers were heard, and council voted unanimously to extend time for four additional speakers.

Living Hope Day Center (proposed location at 19 S. 10th St.):

• Ryan Brady (resident at 213 S. 10th St.) opposed the location, arguing that the proposed “community center” designation does not match the intended “day shelter” use, raising concerns about parking, pedestrian safety, proximity to schools, and lack of neighborhood notification. He presented a map and signatures from residents.
• Tony Perez (Living Hope) provided an update: the property is under contract with due diligence ending October 5; half the funding is received and half pledged; a partnership to create eight new jobs is being finalized; a community meeting is planned. He clarified that 26 registered sex offenders already live within a one‑mile radius and argued against associating homelessness with crime.
• Dave Ellegood (facilities director, First Baptist Church) spoke in support, noting that Living Hope has been a good neighbor during three years at the church and has helped him build relationships with people experiencing homelessness.

WAVE Bus Route Changes in Audubon Neighborhood:

• Denise Shackleford (resident of 42nd St. for 41 years) and Elaine Morrison described safety concerns after bus 109 began using narrow 42nd St. up to 12 times a day. They stated the bus is 8.5 ft wide while the lane from yellow to white line is only 8.4 ft, creating dangerous conditions. They suggested alternative routes (43rd, 44th, or 39th St.) are wider. City Manager Becky Hawke clarified that route changes are approved by the WAVE Transit Board (on which she, Councilmember Andrews, the City Attorney, and the CFO serve), not City Council, and that the route map shows buses should use 41st St., not 42nd St. Staff will investigate.

Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement (Resolution R2):

• Jerod Patterson (Business Alliance for a Sound Economy) expressed concern that R2 as drafted questions the need for replacement and could risk $327 million in committed federal/state funds due to a 2027 obligation deadline.
• Natalie English (President/CEO, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce) asked council to vote no on R2 as written, supporting Alternative B (fixed span, 135‑ft clearance) and warning that disrupting the process endangers funding.
• Carol Bullock (Executive Director, Historic Wilmington Foundation) strongly supported R2, arguing the fixed‑span alternative would damage the historic district and shift the main corridor to Fifth Avenue, harming downtown’s economic vitality.
• LeRon Montgomery (President, NAACP New Hanover County Branch) supported improving the bridge but opposed any fixed‑span proposal that sacrifices neighborhoods; he also opposed tolls as a tax on working people and urged continued exploration of alternatives.
• Dr. De Winter (emergency physician, New Hanover Regional Medical Center) noted over 70,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, including ambulances, and that a safe, reliable crossing is essential for healthcare. He urged council to demand clear answers on R2’s impact on schedule, funding, and reliability before supporting it.
• Brayton Willis (former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) supported replacement but criticized the environmental assessment for failing to justify the 135‑ft height, noting no vessel requires that clearance. He called for a Section 216 report on a 100‑ft option and for Congressman Rouzer to pursue maximum federal funding.
• Rachel Burckenhour (small business owner) expressed concern about tolls, especially after a 30‑40% cut in lactation reimbursement rates, and stated that an extra $1,000–$1,500 per year in tolls and recent property tax increases are unsustainable for her middle‑class family.

Justice for Edilberto Espinoza‑Sierra:

• Alton Banks, Nathaniel Burton, and Rose Saraiva spoke in memory of Edilberto Espinoza‑Sierra, who was killed on March 8, 2026 after seven police officers fired 62 rounds into his car (13 hits). They demanded release of officers’ names and body‑camera footage, and called for charges. Rose Saraiva criticized the removal of memorials and questioned policing systems.

Discussion Items

Ordinance O1 – CSI Unit Equipment Supplemental Appropriation ($65,232): Chief Ryan Zuidema explained the funds come from a JAG grant for crime scene technology including fuming chambers, a 3D laser scanner, and a crime‑light device. Councilmember Joyner asked why a $65,000 item required council approval; City Attorney Everhart noted that any grant from the government must receive council approval. The ordinance passed 6‑0, and second reading was waived unanimously.

Ordinance O2 – Wrightsville Avenue Speed Limit Reduction: Traffic Engineer Denys Vielkanowitz recommended reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on the portion of Wrightsville Avenue between Military Cutoff Road and Eastwood Road. The ordinance passed 7‑0, and second reading was waived unanimously.

Resolution R1 – Amendment to 2026 Council Meeting Schedule: City Clerk Penelope Spicer‑Sidbury reported that the September 14 agenda briefing and September 15 regular meeting conflict with NCDOT public hearings on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. The meetings were rescheduled to September 21 and 22. Councilmember Santaguida supported the change, emphasizing the importance of council attending the hearings. The resolution passed 7‑0.

Resolution R2 – Comments on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Environmental Assessment: Planning Director Linda Painter presented the two alternatives: Alternative A (movable span, same as current bridge, 135‑ft vertical clearance when open, 65‑ft otherwise; maintains existing ramps at Wooster/Dawson/Third St.) and Alternative B (fixed span, 135‑ft clearance, longer bridge, shifts downtown access to Fifth Avenue, 63 parcels impacted vs. 22 for A, 102 noise receptors vs. 50). The original resolution contained six requests; staff recommended deleting the request to formally endorse staff comments (to be brought back October 6). Council proposed two amendments: (1) in request #2, remove the second sentence listing specific options to avoid confusion; (2) in request #3, specify “Project Alternative B” (fixed span) to be eliminated. After extensive discussion about tolls, funding deadlines (grant obligation by September 2027), capacity of Fifth Avenue, and the risk to federal funding, the amended resolution passed 5‑0. Councilmember Santaguida noted the resolution does not delay the process. Councilmember Joyner stated his preference for Alternative A. Councilmember Clinton‑Quintana and others expressed strong opposition to Alternative B.

Report RP1 – Council’s Evaluation Committee: Mayor Pro‑Tem Spears presented compensation recommendations for the three direct reports, all of whom met or exceeded expectations: City Manager Becky Hawke – $288,400.32; City Clerk Penelope Spicer‑Sidbury – $121,303.78; City Attorney Meredith Everhart – $215,083.70. The motion passed 5‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved 7‑0 (all C1–C8).
• O1 (CSI equipment appropriation) approved 6‑0 on first reading; second reading waived 6‑0.
• O2 (Wrightsville Avenue speed limit reduction) approved 7‑0 on first reading; second reading waived 7‑0.
• R1 (meeting schedule amendment) approved 7‑0.
• R2 (Cape Fear Memorial Bridge EA comments) approved 5‑0 after amendments: eliminated Alternative B from consideration, and removed the list of specific options from request #2.
• RP1 (evaluation committee report and salaries) approved 5‑0.
• Council members announced upcoming events: Labor Day, National Preparedness Month (free disaster‑preparedness series starting Sept. 4), and NCDOT public hearings on the bridge on Sept. 14 (Wilmington) and Sept. 15 (Leland), with written comments accepted through Oct. 15.