Winston-Salem City Council Meeting - September 16, 2024

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Allen Joines with eight members present (Council Member Robert C. Clark absent). The agenda included a proclamation, consent agenda items, five general agenda items (including public hearings), a public comment period, and a closed session. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.

Proclamation & Recognitions

• Winston-Salem State University Day (September 27, 2024): Mayor Joines presented a proclamation to Chancellor Bonita J. Brown, who spoke about the university's 130+ year history, $500 million+ annual economic impact, and invited all to wear red on September 27. Troop 31137 Girl Scouts were also recognized.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved by a 7-0 vote after adding a new item (C-8: Elizabeth E. Dampier appointment to Tourism Development Authority) and pulling item C-2 for separate consideration.
• Approved items:
  • C-1: Ordinance amending Chapters 2 and 10 of City Code (deeds and SAB).
  • C-3: Reappointment of Priscilla Green to Public Assembly Facilities Commission.
  • C-4: Appointment of Celine V. Richard to Fair Planning Committee.
  • C-5: Appointments to Affordable Housing Coalition (Dixon B. Pitt, Frances J. Sullivan, Noah B. Sibbett, Richard Daniels).
  • C-6: Appointment of Ned Erikson to Bicycle/Pedestrian/Active Mobility Advisory Committee.
  • C-7: Approval of September 3, 2024, meeting minutes.
  • C-8: Appointment of Elizabeth E. Dampier to Tourism Development Authority.

Public Comments & Testimony

Eight citizens addressed the council during the public comment period:

1. Melvyn Brown – Requested a hearing regarding reduced WSTA paratransit service since March 2024; city staff agreed to follow up.
2. Doreen Pollock – Complained about neighborhood cleanliness (trash, overgrown weeds), an abandoned church (Beulah Church) with squatters, and changes to the flower bed program; requested a community meeting.
3. JoAnne Allen – Announced a renewed request for a city audit; criticized council for inaction.
4. Pam Phillips – Questioned neighborhood boundary definitions (Boston vs. East Winston); staff agreed to follow up.
5. Matthew Mayers – Updated on the Solarize the Triad campaign (prices at tier 5, over $1 million in local business); urged council to support the C-PACE program for commercial clean energy financing.
6. Arnita Miles – Criticized the lack of line items in the FY24-25 budget for homelessness and the BEAR program; demanded more affordable housing.
7. Cynthia Herson – Challenged council to respond to public concerns; addressed affordable housing, the Cleveland Avenue project, and asked for no rent increases on renovated units.
8. Ghali Hasan – Accused the mayor and city attorney of lying; demanded a meeting and more transparency for Section 3 residents.

Discussion Items

• G-1 (Zoning Petition W-3625): Public hearing for rezoning 0.86 acres on Old Mill Circle from GO and GO-S to GO. No opposition. Approved 7-0.
• G-2 (Site Plan Amendment W-3626): Public hearing for YMCA Robinhood Road parking addition (2.12 acres, changing previously approved bank to parking lot). No opposition. Approved 7-0.
• G-3 (Stormwater Management Ordinance Amendment): Public hearing and discussion. Assistant City Attorney Fredrick Evans explained updates to Chapter 75 to comply with HB 488 (state legislation). Changes included removing escrow account requirements for stormwater infrastructure, allowing more authority for inspections, and routing stormwater appeals to the Board of Adjustment. Council Member MacIntosh noted that removing escrow accounts puts municipalities and HOAs at risk if stormwater systems fail. The ordinance was approved 7-0.
• G-4 (UDO Amendment UDO-CC27): Public hearing and discussion. Director Chris Murphy presented four changes: aligning Board of Adjustment procedures with stormwater appeals, updating voting procedures per state statute, correcting title references from planning director to planning and development services director, and clarifying site plan information requirements. Approved 7-0.
• G-5 (Personnel Compensation Plan): Dr. Barnett (Human Resources) presented the first phase of a comprehensive classification and compensation study by MAG International. Key elements: 4% adjustment for eligible employees, minimum pay grade increases, and equity/compression adjustments. The plan includes five pay plans (unified, fire, police, civilian public safety, flat rate). Council Member Mundy noted the outdated use of the term "personnel." The ordinance and resolution were approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• All consent items approved 7-0 except C-2, which was voted separately.
• C-2 African American Heritage Initiative Committee appointments:
  • Quamin Finney: approved 7-0.
  • Kimberlee McNeil: approved 6-1 (Council Member Burke opposed).
  • Chanice Withers: approved 7-0.
• General agenda items (G-1 through G-5): All approved 7-0.
• Closed Session: Motion to enter closed session (N.C.G.S. §143-318.11(a)(1) and (6)) to discuss city attorney applicants and personnel matters approved unanimously.
• Adjournment: 7:40 PM.