Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – May 19, 2025

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered the consent agenda, several public hearings, a resolution opposing state legislation affecting local road funding, the appointment of a Civil Service Board member, and a presentation of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. The meeting also included a public comment period and a closed session to discuss economic development.

City Manager Update

• Assistant City Manager Aaron King introduced Angus Thomas as the new Fleet Services Director.
• Assistant City Manager Sharon Wojda introduced Dr. Kena Jones as the new interim Human Resources Director.
• Transportation Director Jeff Fanzler reported that the Peters Creek Parkway at Brewer Road pedestrian crossing improvements were completed ahead of schedule, with fully actuated pedestrian signals now operational at all four corners. The project was expedited with support from NCDOT.
• City Manager Pat Pate announced the availability of the 2024 Water Quality Report, noting the city’s water has met or exceeded EPA standards for over 20 years.
• Upcoming events were announced, including budget information sessions on May 20 and May 27, a Neighborhood Services open house on May 20, a food waste educational series on May 22, and the Community Appearance Awards on May 28.
• May was recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Fire Department’s Behavioral Evaluation and Response Team (BEAR) marked its second anniversary with thousands of calls.
• City offices will be closed on May 26 for Memorial Day.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by an 8-0 vote (Council Member Andree-Bowen, Burke, Clark, Hall, Joiner, Scippio, Taylor, and Mayor Pro Tempore Adams).
• C-1: Resolution awarding a contract for police vehicle upfits to Brooks Network Services for $1,094,679.60.
• C-2: Resolution approving an amendment to an installment purchase contract with NC Municipal Leasing Corporation to finance facilities and capital assets (public hearing set for June 2, 2025).
• C-3: Ordinance amending the FY 2024-2025 project budget.
• C-4: Appointment of Camille Roddy to the African American Heritage Initiative Committee (term through August 2026).
• C-5: Appointment of Lisa Blythe to the Bicycle/Pedestrian/Active Mobility Advisory Committee (term through August 2026).
• C-6: Appointments of Courtney Mack (term through December 2027) and Frederick Johnson (term through December 2028) to the Fair Planning Committee.
• C-7: Approval of the summary of minutes from May 5, 2025.

General Agenda

G-1: Resolution Opposing Senate Bill 257 – Powell Bill Funds

• Presenter: Scott Tesh, Director of Budget & Performance Management, explained that the bill would cut Powell Bill funding for all North Carolina cities with populations above 150,000 for the biennium, totaling an estimated $8.7 million per year ($17.4 million over two years) for Winston-Salem.
• Discussion: Tesh stated this would require substantial cuts to street resurfacing, vegetation management, sidewalk maintenance, and other services, or a property tax increase of over $0.02 per $100 valuation. Council Member Clark argued that the state should share the burden rather than targeting a few cities.
• Vote: Motion by Council Member Clark, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Adams. Approved 8-0.

G-2: Public Hearing and Zoning Petition W-3643 (Grandview, Inc.) – 8.17 acres on Yadkinville Road (Northwest Ward)

• Request: Rezone from RS9 to GB-L (General Business Limited) for storage services (internal and external access). Planning Board recommended denial (5-2) on March 13, 2025.
• Staff Report (Chris Murphy, Planning Director): The proposal is inconsistent with the West Suburban Area Plan, which recommends single-family residential (0-8 units/acre) for this site. Approving could encourage strip commercial development and encroachment into a single-family neighborhood.
• Proponents (Nick Blackwood, attorney; Rennie Adcock, HOA President of Mickle Dam): They emphasized added conditions: no driveway on Mickle Road, brick construction on frontages, enhanced fencing, an 80-foot buffer to the north, and preservation of a 300-foot wooded area west of Stimpson Drive to protect the dam. Adcock stated the HOA is 100% unified in supporting this as the best case for the area, noting the low traffic generation (74 daily trips vs. 373 if developed for single-family).
• Opponents (Ryan Dovel, representing Aubrey Stimson): Argued the rezoning would promote urban sprawl, contradict the area plan, and harm the rural character of Pfafftown. He urged denial based on the planning board’s recommendation.
• Council Discussion: Council Member Hall (ward representative) noted the extensive outreach and negotiations, stating that the developer met residents’ concerns. Council Member Clark questioned why changes were not re-submitted to the planning board but accepted the added conditions. Council Member Scippio confirmed the conditions would be binding on any future owner.
• Vote: Motion by Council Member Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Adams. Approved 7-1 (Council Member Andree-Bowen opposed; all others in favor).

G-3: Public Hearing and Zoning Petition W-3646 (104 Progress, LLC) – 2.59 acres at Progress Lane and Progress Court (North Ward)

• Request: Rezone from GB-S to GB-L to allow a mix of uses (offices, warehousing, restaurants, retail, services, etc.). Planning Board recommended approval.
• Public Hearing: No one opposed; the hearing was closed.
• Vote: Motion by Mayor Pro Tempore Adams, seconded by Council Member Burke. Approved 8-0.

G-4: Resolution Acknowledging Civil Service Board Elections and Appointing Fourth Member

• Presenter: Assistant City Manager Sharon Wojda reported that the electronic election results were certified: Police elected Brett Moyer, Fire elected Kelly Emerson, and Police and Fire Chiefs jointly selected Edward Hosmer. Mayor Joines recommended Reverend Dr. Herbert Miller as the council’s appointee.
• Vote: Motion by Council Member Scippio, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Approved 8-0.

G-5: City Manager’s Presentation on the Proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget

• Presenter: City Manager Pat Pate presented an overview of the $727 million net budget, emphasizing four strategic priority areas: good government, economic prosperity, community advocacy and engagement, and livable communities.
• Key Points:
  • The budget is balanced with a proposed property tax rate of $0.575 per $100 valuation, a $0.15 reduction from the current $0.725 rate, but not revenue neutral. Additional revenue is needed to maintain services, especially transit ($0.022 above revenue neutral).
  • Water and sewer rates proposed to increase 5%; stormwater rates up 4%; solid waste tipping fee up $1/ton.
  • $5 million allocated to affordable housing (LITEC and single-family programs) for the coming year.
  • No new funding for community agencies; street resurfacing remains underfunded by about $4 million annually.
  • Significant uncertainties: potential loss of $90 million in federal funds and $17 million+ in state Powell Bill funds, plus economic headwinds.
  • The presentation was for information only; no vote was taken.

Public Comments & Testimony

Eleven speakers addressed the council (3 minutes each):

1. Matthew Mayers (2844 Wesleyan Lane) – Encouraged investment in sustainability projects to save money, noting the city’s strategic plan on energy.
2. Bo Butler (Londonderry, NH) – Expressed support for firefighters, urging council to back them.
3. Captain Charles Goins (118 Pendleton Drive) – Opposed proposed cuts to sick leave accrual for firefighters, citing personal experience caring for a cancer-survivor wife and the negative impact on recruitment and retention. He argued a 56-hour workweek should not be equated to a 40-hour one.
4. Captain William Rivers (2840 N. Glenn Ave) – Described needing sick leave after his brother’s death and after responding to many homicides; urged a better resolution than benefit cuts.
5. Captain Liz Riggins (135 White Oak Drive, King, NC) – Stated that cutting sick time in half would harm firefighter health and morale, and urged council not to pass the proposal.
6. Ashton Parrinello (1528 Mallory Circle) – As union president, argued the proposed cuts are inequitable, damage recruitment and retention, and convey that firefighters are undervalued. He called for council to protect benefits.
7. Angela Dix (4324 Green Manor Drive) – Representing the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem, opposed the benefit cuts, calling them unjust and urging fair compensation. She stated they stand in full solidarity with firefighters.
8. Captain Christopher Dalalis (3257 Konnoak Drive) – Criticized the proposal for ignoring the 56-hour work schedule and warned it would devastate morale; noted that legal issues may exist with converting sick banks. He shared personal stories of needing time for a critically ill daughter.
9. Brooke Deyoung (3050 S. Stratford Road) – Representing The Dwelling (winter shelter), emphasized the need for continued partnership with the city to provide the only overnight emergency winter shelter; reported serving 645 unique individuals last winter.
10. Nick Childress (1661 Leight Street) – Shared his experience with The Dwelling community, urging council to see the value of partnership, not just charity.
11. Cynthia Herson (112 W. Devonshire Street) – Criticized property management issues and urged transparency and accountability; demanded that citizens have a voice in decisions affecting them.

Closed Session

• Council Member Clark moved to go into closed session pursuant to N.C.G.S. §143-318.11(a)(4) to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of businesses. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Adams and passed 8-0.
• After approximately 30 minutes, Council Member Joiner moved to end the closed session, seconded by Council Member Scippio. The vote was 8-0. The meeting then adjourned at 8:34 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved 8-0.
• Resolution Opposing SB 257 (Powell Bill Funds): Approved 8-0.
• Zoning Petition W-3643 (Grandview, Inc.): Approved 7-1 (Andree-Bowen opposed).
• Zoning Petition W-3646 (104 Progress, LLC): Approved 8-0.
• Civil Service Board Appointment: Approved 8-0 (Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller appointed).
• Budget Presentation: Received as information; formal consideration to follow at work sessions and public hearing. The first budget workshop is scheduled for May 21, 2025.
• Public Comments: No immediate action; concerns about firefighter benefits, sustainability, winter shelter, and property management were raised for council's consideration.
• Closed Session: Held for economic development discussion; no action reported.