Wilmington City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Wilmington City Council met on September 1, 2026, at 6:30 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a proclamation for National Patriotism Week, heritage tree awards, a consent agenda, public comments on a proposed homeless day shelter, bus route changes, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, and a police shooting, followed by ordinances and resolutions. Key decisions included approval of a resolution adopting comments on the bridge environmental assessment, with amendments to eliminate Alternative B and explore additional options.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0) eight consent items: janitorial services contract extension ($427,802), drainage easement release, Smartsheet software renewal ($105,840 annually, up to $333,660), CIP Planner software renewal ($130,674 annually, up to $411,954), grant applications for sidewalk improvements on New Centre Drive ($2,120,000) and Medical Center Drive ($2,304,000), aerial easement with CMT Real Property, and approval of minutes from August 17 and 18, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ryan Brady (city resident) opposed the Living Hope Day Center proposed location at 19 South 10th Street, questioning whether the zoning classification as a “community center” properly reflects its actual operation as a day shelter. He cited proximity to schools, pedestrian safety, and a history of neighborhood concerns, and asked council to slow the process and ensure proper classification.
• Denise Shockwellford and Elaine Morrison (residents) raised safety concerns about Wave Transit bus route 109 using narrow 42nd Street in the Audubon neighborhood, noting buses take up the full lane (8.5 ft wide on a 8.4 ft half-lane) and create hazards with school buses and mail trucks. They asked for route changes.
• Jared Patterson (Business Alliance for a Sound Economy) expressed concerns about Resolution R2, arguing it could disrupt the regional planning process for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement and risk federal funding. He urged careful wording.
• Natalie English (Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce) urged council to vote no on R2 as drafted, citing support for Alternative B (fixed span) but warning against reopening the need for replacement and risking over $320 million in state and federal funding.
• Alton Banks and Thaniel Burton (residents) called for justice for Ed Alberto Espinoza Sierra, killed by police on March 8, 2026, with 62 shots fired. They demanded release of officers' names and charges for excessive force, stating the district attorney found no excessive force.
• Tony Perez (Living Hope Day Center) provided an update: under contract on 10th & Dock property (due diligence through Oct 5), half of funding secured, planning a community meeting. He addressed misinformation and emphasized that homelessness is already present in the area.
• Carol Bullock (Historic Wilmington Foundation) strongly supported R2, arguing the fixed span Alternative B would damage the historic district and downtown economic vitality.
• LeRon Montgomery (NAACP New Hanover County) opposed fixed span and tolls, supporting R2's call for exploring less costly alternatives and community engagement.
• Dr. D. Winter (emergency physician) urged maintaining project momentum for bridge replacement, concerned R2 could threaten funding and timeline for healthcare access.
• Brayton Willis (former Army Corps engineer) raised unanswered questions in the environmental assessment (e.g., no vessel requiring 135 ft clearance, traffic diversion, environmental impacts) and suggested seeking maximum federal funding and a formal Section 216 report.
• Rachel Birkenhauer (small business owner) opposed tolls, citing financial burden on middle-class families and impact on ability to visit family.
• David Ellingood (First Baptist Church facilities director) supported Living Hope, sharing positive experience hosting the center, and urged community engagement.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance O1: Ordinance making a supplemental appropriation of $65,232 from a JAG grant to purchase crime scene investigation equipment (fuming chambers, 3D scanner, crime light). Approved unanimously (6-0) on first and second reading.
• Ordinance O2: Ordinance reducing the speed limit on Wrightsville Avenue (SR 2782) from 45 mph to 35 mph between Military Cutoff Road and Eastwood Road, per NCDOT recommendation. Approved unanimously (7-0) on first and second reading.
• Resolution R1: Resolution amending the 2026 council meeting schedule, moving the agenda briefing from Sept 14 to Sept 21 and the regular meeting from Sept 15 to Sept 22 to avoid conflict with DOT public hearings on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Resolution R2: Resolution adopting comments on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Staff presented two alternatives: Alternative A (movable span, 135 ft clearance when lifted, same ramp locations) and Alternative B (fixed span, 135 ft clearance, shifts ramps to Fifth Avenue). Extensive discussion focused on Alternative B’s impacts on historic resources, neighborhoods, traffic, and costs. Councilmember Lyle proposed amending paragraph 2 to remove specific examples of options and paragraph 3 to explicitly eliminate Alternative B. Mayor Pro Tem Spears proposed amendments to strike the second sentence of paragraph 2 and change paragraph 3 to specify Alternative B. Councilmember Santaguida suggested removing “less costly” redundancy. The amended resolution passed 5-0 (with one member absent? The motion passed 5-0 as recorded). The final resolution includes six requests: (1) city inclusion in merger team; (2) exploration of additional, less costly alternatives; (3) elimination of Alternative B from consideration; (4) postponing selection until Section 106 and EA complete; (5) exemption from tolls; (6) detailed staff comments to be brought back for endorsement on October 6, 2026.
• Report RP1: Report of Council’s Evaluation Committee on performance of city manager, city clerk, and city attorney. All three met or exceeded expectations. Compensation set: City Manager Becky Hawk – $288,400.32; City Clerk Penelope Spicer Sidberry – $121,303.78; City Attorney Meredith Everhart – $215,008.70. Motion to approve passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7-0.
• Ordinance O1 approved 6-0 on both readings.
• Ordinance O2 approved 7-0 on both readings.
• Resolution R1 approved 7-0.
• Amended Resolution R2 approved 5-0 (vote tally: 5-0 according to minutes).
• Evaluation committee compensation approved 5-0.
• Councilmembers announced upcoming events: Labor Day recognition, National Preparedness Month, public hearings on Cape Fear Memorial Bridge on Sept 14 (Wilmington) and Sept 15 (Leland), and Mayor Pro Tem Spears’ birthday on Sept 26.