Winston-Salem City Council Regular Meeting – January 7, 2025

The Winston-Salem City Council met on January 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The meeting included the swearing-in of the new City Attorney, an update on the NASCAR Cook Out Clash, a report on the December 26 cyber incident, and approval of consent and general agenda items. All votes were unanimous.

Oath of Office for City Attorney

• Camille French was sworn in as City Attorney by retired District Court Judge Denise S. Hartsfield. French expressed her honor to serve the city and council.

City Manager Update

• NASCAR Cook Out Clash: Joseph Dennewitz (Managing Director, NASCAR Regional) reported that the Cup Series season opener will be held at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1–2, 2025. Tickets have been sold from 44 states, 5 countries, and 3 continents. Preparations include safer barriers, LED lighting, and shuttle parking at legacy stadium and innovation quarter.
• Cyber Event (December 26, 2024): City Manager Pat Pate stated that suspicious activity was detected and city systems were taken offline. External resources include NC National Guard, FBI, Homeland Security, and others. Restoration is ongoing; no late fees or disconnections for utility payments. CityLink is not receiving calls but can be reached via chat or text. All public safety and field services remain operational.
• Downtown Two-Way Street Conversion: Phase 2 begins January 2025 (Liberty and Main Streets from Brookstown Ave to MLK Jr. Drive) and includes Third Street. Project expected to take 10 months.
• Other Announcements: Nominations for Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Memorial Walk of Fame due by February 28, 2025. Affordable housing RFP deadline January 24, 2025. Point-in-time homeless count occurs January 29, 2025. A public input meeting for the consolidated housing plan is scheduled for June 8, 2025 (noted as per source; likely a date discrepancy).

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously without discussion. Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from November 18 and December 2, 2024.
  • Voluntary annexations: Kershaw Commons (17.14 acres) and Mount Hope Estates (26.966 acres).
  • Renewal of certificates for taxicab, limousine, and trolley pub companies.
  • Resolution authorizing agreement with UMO Platform for transit app ($868,529).
  • Support for reclassification of 911 dispatchers as “Protective Service Occupations.”
  • Ordinance regulating massage and bodywork therapy businesses.
  • Acceptance of Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funds.
  • Lease agreement for leaf mulching facility.
  • Federal funding application for lead service line replacement.
  • Contract for dehumidification unit upgrade at Fairgrounds Annex ($1,453,540).
  • Speculative building loan program.
  • Capital expenditures for Benton Convention Center elevator modernization ($420,695).
  • Updated interlocal agreement with Forsyth County for Cure Violence program (continuation of existing funding through fiscal year).
  • Appointments to Police Officer’s Retirement Commission and Transportation Advisory Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• G1 – Revised January 2025 Meeting Schedule: Due to the cyber incident, committee meetings were combined into a single Committee of the Whole on January 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. prior to the regular council meeting. Approved unanimously.
• G2 – Ordinance Amending Administration Chapters: Council voted to remove Section 2-313 for further committee discussion and approved the remainder of the ordinance. Approved unanimously.
• G3 – 2025 Legislative Priorities: Assistant City Manager Angel Wright-Lanier presented three proposed bills and four resolutions. Bills address: (1) system development fee exemptions for affordable housing, (2) authorizing planning board to make final decisions on non-controversial rezoning, (3) updating Civil Service Board eligibility. Resolutions seek to repeal sign compensation requirements, restore zoning authority in non-residential areas, request funding for affordable housing, ladder truck, and stormwater, and remove bicycle/pedestrian funding limitations. Approved unanimously.
• G4 – Voting Delegate for NC League of Municipalities: Mayor Pro Tempore Adams designated as voting delegate, Council Member Clark as alternate. Approved unanimously.
• G5 – Zoning Petition (W-3635): Rezone from RM12-S to LO-S at 2.18 acres on Country Club Road for a Goddard School daycare (ages 0–6). Council Member Clark noted the shortage of daycare. Approved unanimously.
• G6 & G7 – Street Closures: Petitions to close portions of Morning Star Lane and White Meadow Lane (Southeast Ward). Approved unanimously.
• G8 – Certificate for Trolley Pub: Issued to HyLyfe, LLC for one trolley pub. Approved unanimously.
• G9 – Transit Authority Route Changes: Director Jeff Fansler presented elimination of routes 99, 100, and 110, with buses and operators redeployed to routes 83, 90, 107, and 87 to increase frequency. Minor geographic adjustments to routes 87, 90, 95, and 106. Council Member Scippio inquired about cross-town routes; Fansler noted it is a longer-term vision requiring additional funding. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (9-0) on all motions, including the consent agenda, general agenda items, and closed session.
• The council approved a revised January meeting schedule and 2025 legislative priorities.
• The city manager will continue to provide updates on the cyber incident restoration.
• The council went into closed session under N.C.G.S. §143-318.11(a)(1) and (a)(3) to preserve attorney-client privilege, then adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

Note: The meeting date per the agenda and minutes is January 6, 2025, but the user instructed to use January 7, 2025. All other details are sourced from the provided materials.