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Record of Proceedings

Winston-Salem City Council Organizational Meeting and Swearing-In – December 2, 2024

Meeting Portal — Monday, December 2, 2024
BodyWinston Salem, North Carolina
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, December 2, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

My honor to call together this organizational meeting of the Winston Salem City Council.

0:06

This is a special time as we uh have the oath of office administered to me and our council uh for another four-year term.

0:15

Uh to begin the the meeting, I'd like if you would please join me in a moment of silence.

0:31

Thank you.

0:32

And would you join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:38

Pledge allegiance to the Fire of the United States of America.

0:44

Well, which stance one nation of God visible with liberty and justice for all thank you very much.

0:56

Uh recognize our Sergeant at Arms, Ninth Lieutenant Jay Morissette is here, and we now have uh assistant uh fire marshal Bradley Watson will be joining us uh for future meetings to keep our room legal as we move into the next phase of this meeting, which is the uh administering the oath of office to me and the city council.

1:20

I'm gonna turn this portion of the meeting over to our city clerk.

1:24

Uh Jamie.

1:27

We'll start with the oath of Mayor Alan Joines administered by the Honorable Carrie F.

1:31

Vickery, district court judge.

1:35

Yes.

1:55

I think I can switch with you.

1:57

That's right, Mr.

1:58

Told me that.

1:59

Do you want me to put this right here and let you hold her or do you want to?

2:04

All right, perfect.

2:06

Um repeat after me, place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right.

2:12

I state your name.

2:13

I Jay Allen joins.

2:15

Do solemnly swear.

2:16

Do solemnly swear.

2:17

That I will support and maintain the Constitution.

2:20

I will support and maintain the Constitution.

2:22

And laws of the United States.

2:24

And laws of the United States.

2:26

And the Constitution.

2:27

And the Constitution.

2:28

And laws of North Carolina.

2:30

And laws of North Carolina.

2:31

Not inconsistent therewith.

2:32

Not inconsistent therewith.

2:34

And that I will faithfully discharge the duties.

2:37

That I will faithfully discharge the duties.

2:39

Of my office as mayor.

2:41

Of my office as mayor.

2:42

So help me God.

2:43

So help me God.

2:44

I state your name.

2:45

I Jay Allen joins.

2:47

Do solemnly and sincerely swear.

2:49

Do solemnly and sincerely swear.

2:51

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

2:54

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

2:56

That I will be faithful and bear true allegiance.

2:59

I'll be faithful and bear true allegiance.

3:01

To the State of North Carolina.

3:02

To the State of North Carolina.

3:04

And to the constitutional powers and authorities.

3:06

And to the constitutional powers and authorities.

3:09

Which are or may be established for the government thereof.

3:12

Which are or may be established for the government thereof.

3:14

And that I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend.

3:17

That I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend.

3:20

The Constitution of said State.

3:22

The Constitution of said State.

3:23

Not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States.

3:27

Not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States.

3:30

To the best of my knowledge and ability.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████56%
Community Engagement██████████████17%
Affordable Housing██████████13%
Economic Development███████9%
Sustainable Energy██3%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Winston-Salem City Council Organizational Meeting and Swearing-In – December 2, 2024

The Winston-Salem City Council held its organizational meeting on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 6:00 PM. The meeting featured the swearing-in of Mayor Allen Joines and eight council members for new four-year terms, followed by comments from incoming officials, a city manager update, and the approval of committee assignments, the mayor pro tempore designation, and the 2025 meeting schedule. Two members of the public spoke during the public comment period. All votes were unanimous (8-0).

Oaths of Office

  • Mayor Allen Joines was sworn in by the Honorable Carrie F. Vickery, District Court Judge.
  • Council members were individually sworn in by various judges: Robert Clark, Denise D. Adams, and Vivián V. Joiner by Retired District Court Judge Denise S. Hartsfield; James Taylor and Barbara Hanes Burke by Superior Court Judge L. Todd Burke; Annette Scippio by Retired District Court Judge Denise S. Hartsfield; Scott Andree-Bowen by District Court Judge Whit Davis; Regina Ford Hall by District Court Judge Carrie F. Vickery.
  • Outgoing council members Kevin Mundy, Jeff McIntosh, and John Larson were recognized and received their nameplates from City Hall.

Comments by Incoming Officials

  • Mayor Allen Joines highlighted priorities: affordable housing (3,000 units developed in three years, 13,000 more needed), poverty reduction (from 26% to 19%), homelessness (487 individuals counted), economic development (tied with Austin, TX for highest percentage of new business startups), and retention of existing businesses (e.g., HanesBrands move downtown).
  • Council Member Robert Clark emphasized basic city services (police, fire, sanitation), housing continuity, and business recruitment.
  • Council Member Denise D. Adams noted her long tenure on the community development/housing committee, salary disparity studies, and appreciation for frontline workers.
  • Council Member James Taylor (16th term) celebrated economic development and job creation since the Great Recession.
  • Council Member Annette Scippio spoke about unity and service.
  • Council Member Barbara Hanes Burke thanked constituents and looked forward to continued work.
  • Council Member Scott Andree-Bowen committed to sustainable energy, poverty reduction, and representing all wards.
  • Council Member Regina Ford Hall thanked her family and constituents, and acknowledged her predecessor.
  • Council Member Vivián V. Joiner emphasized community and service.

City Manager Update

  • Upcoming events: Police and fire department toy drives (Dec. 4 & 6); affordable housing developer information sessions (virtual Dec. 5, in-person Dec. 9); MWBE certification opportunity (Dec. 5); Wake Forest University's "The Grounds" groundbreaking (Dec. 7); Bill Hayes statue unveiling; Historic Bethabara Christmas event; Winston-Salem Ambassador Holiday Parade and tree lighting (Dec. 7); Holiday Craft Showcase (Dec. 14).
  • Grant award: The city received a $15,600 grant from Norfolk Southern for workforce development programs (SOAR and Positive Path), which will fund VR headsets for career exploration and skill development.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mackenzie Gates-Allen (3490 Pridgen Ridge Drive) welcomed the new council and thanked outgoing members, expressing enthusiasm for community unity.
  • Matthew Mayers (2844 Wesleyan Lane) gave an update on the Solarize the Triad campaign: over half a megawatt of solar panels under contract, reducing CO2 by over a million pounds annually; workforce training cohort graduating December 13. He urged the council to pursue zoning changes to densify housing and increase the tax base, emphasizing that infill development is more environmentally sustainable.

Key Outcomes

  • Committee Assignments (2024-2028): Approved unanimously (8-0) as recommended by Mayor Joines.
  • Mayor Pro Tempore: Council Member Denise D. Adams was designated Mayor Pro Tempore by a unanimous vote (8-0), on a motion by Council Member Clark.
  • 2025 Meeting Schedule: Approved unanimously (8-0). Council Member Taylor requested printed copies for all members.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 PM, followed by a reception.

Meeting Transcript

My honor to call together this organizational meeting of the Winston Salem City Council. This is a special time as we uh have the oath of office administered to me and our council uh for another four-year term. Uh to begin the the meeting, I'd like if you would please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. And would you join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the Fire of the United States of America. Well, which stance one nation of God visible with liberty and justice for all thank you very much. Uh recognize our Sergeant at Arms, Ninth Lieutenant Jay Morissette is here, and we now have uh assistant uh fire marshal Bradley Watson will be joining us uh for future meetings to keep our room legal as we move into the next phase of this meeting, which is the uh administering the oath of office to me and the city council. I'm gonna turn this portion of the meeting over to our city clerk. Uh Jamie. We'll start with the oath of Mayor Alan Joines administered by the Honorable Carrie F. Vickery, district court judge. Yes. I think I can switch with you. That's right, Mr. Told me that. Do you want me to put this right here and let you hold her or do you want to? All right, perfect. Um repeat after me, place your left hand on the Bible and raise your right. I state your name. I Jay Allen joins. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will support and maintain the Constitution. I will support and maintain the Constitution. And laws of the United States. And laws of the United States. And the Constitution. And the Constitution. And laws of North Carolina. And laws of North Carolina. Not inconsistent therewith. Not inconsistent therewith. And that I will faithfully discharge the duties. That I will faithfully discharge the duties. Of my office as mayor. Of my office as mayor. So help me God. So help me God. I state your name. I Jay Allen joins. Do solemnly and sincerely swear. Do solemnly and sincerely swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will be faithful and bear true allegiance. I'll be faithful and bear true allegiance. To the State of North Carolina. To the State of North Carolina. And to the constitutional powers and authorities.

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