Winston-Salem City Council Meeting - August 4, 2025
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Winston-Salem City Council Meeting - August 4, 2025
The Winston-Salem City Council met on August 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM, adjourning at 7:53 PM. The meeting included a city manager update with departmental reports, two honorariums, approval of a consent agenda, and action on several general agenda items including amendments to the personnel resolution regarding employee leave accrual, appointment of a Civil Service Board chair, public hearings for demolition of three structures, conveyance of a property for affordable housing, and adoption of an extreme weather fare policy for the transit authority.
Honorariums
- Proclamation Declaring August 6, 2025 as Hanes Mall Day: The proclamation was presented to Brad Gaither and Jerry Jones from Hanes Mall, celebrating the mall's 50th anniversary.
- Resolution Honoring the Life and Community Service of Mrs. Dorothy Baker Jordan: The resolution was received by family members. Council recognized her decades of volunteer service and community leadership. Approved unanimously by voice vote.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda, including items C-1 through C-15, was approved unanimously. Key items included:
- Setting a public hearing for September 2, 2025, on a petition to close a portion of an unnamed right-of-way north of Carnation Drive.
- Directing filing of a preliminary assessment roll for demolition of unfit housing.
- Rescinding old demolition ordinances for properties at 1509 E. 22nd St, 1900 Longview Dr, 3919 Old Vineyard Rd, and 5207 Old Rural Hall Rd.
- Re-appointments and appointments to various boards and commissions: Citizens' Police Review Board (Tembila Covington, Warren Napper, Josh Miller, Melvin Scales, Cynthia Collins), Human Relations Commission (Dallis Dale Shew), Urban Food Policy Council (Shelley Crowe), Recreation and Parks Commission (Natalie Lunsford), Public Art Commission (Everette V. Funches), City-County Planning Board (Haley Gingles).
- Approval of Budget Workshop Summary of Minutes (May 21, 22, 28, 2025) and City Council Summary of Minutes (June 2 and 16, 2025).
Discussion Items
City Manager Update
City Manager Pat Pate provided several updates. He introduced Dr. Kina Koffield Jones as the full-time Human Resources Director, and Jelani Biggs as the new Human Relations Director (previously worked for the city). Police Chief William Penn Jr. reported on recent homicides: on August 1, Dequavion Lewis (16) was shot and killed in the 4800 block of Borough Street during an attempted robbery; the district attorney determined no charges would be filed due to self-defense. Later that night, Destiny Avila (17), Alan Lopez (18), and Kelsey Perkins (23) were fatally shot at a house party on Cameron Avenue (30-40 people present, minimal cooperation from attendees, possible gang involvement). On August 3, Deshaun Christian (20) was shot and killed on Patterson Avenue. Chief Penn stated Winston-Salem is a safe city but "safer for some than others" and called for community collaboration to address social issues.
Fire Chief William Mayo reported staffing shortages: in July, at least one engine company was out of service for 11 days, and two companies were out for part of three days. The department aims for minimum staffing of 89 firefighters per day, but the overtime budget only supports hiring back six per day. He detailed the process of reducing staffing from four to three on certain engines and "browning out" engines at five two-unit stations (least busy first: engine 18, then 5, 14, 2, 17). The average daily staffing in July was 88.5, with average vacancies of 8. A recruit class of 28 includes 5 already-certified firefighters who will go on shift August 18. Additionally, the Fire Department achieved a Class 1 Public Protection Classification from the Insurance Services Office, the highest rating.
Transportation Director Jeff Fansler provided an update on the new downtown parking program (launched May 1). Three-month data: 31,695 transactions, nearly 8,000 active users per month, and just under 3,000 first-time users in July. Enforcement has focused on education with placards and one-time courtesy voids. Larger signs (18x24) are being installed. Phase two will include parking decks and surface lots with gateless technology, eliminating credit card machines. The city manager also noted that new tax bills have gone out, with FAQs available; the NASCAR Cookout Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium for the 2026 season (February 1), with state grant of up to $1.6 million; National Night Out on August 5 at Calvary Baptist Church; Police Commendations Ceremony on August 6; graduation of 20 new officers from Basic Training Class 80; and city clerk Jayme Waldeck earned Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
G-1: Resolution Amending Personnel Resolution (Accrual Rates)
This item amended Article III, Section 44 to make accrual rates consistent based on percentage of annual hours worked. Councilmember Clark (Finance Chair) noted an additional sentence was added to commit to completing the Fire Department's classification and compensation study before adjustments take effect (effective January 1, 2026, pending study). Councilmember Hall shared that she met with 41 fire department members; they were concerned about pay compression and benefit cuts. Councilmember Andree-Bowen echoed concerns about pay and noted no guaranteed number yet. Mayor Pro Tempore Adams emphasized progress since 2009 but noted challenges. Councilmember Joiner thanked firefighters for their service. The vote was 5-3 in favor (Andree-Bowen, Clark, Hall, Joiner, Adams aye; Burke, Scippio, Taylor nay).
G-2: Resolution Appointing Chair of Civil Service Board
Mayor Joines recommended Dr. Miller (Reverend Miller) as chair. Motion to appoint carried unanimously (8-0).
G-3, G-4, G-5: Public Hearings for Demolition of Structures
Three properties in the Northeast Ward: 1405 E. 22nd St, 1515 E. 21st St, and 1526 E. 25th St. No members of the public spoke. Each was approved unanimously.
G-6: Resolution Authorizing Conveyance of 3882 Draper Street
Assistant Neighborhood Services Director Samuel Hunter presented. The home was rehabbed at a cost of $82,480 and will be sold for $204,000 in support of affordable housing objectives. Approved unanimously (8-0).
G-7: Resolution Adopting Extreme Weather and Special Events Fare Policy Changes
Transportation Director Fansler presented. The policy establishes fare-free transit during extreme cold (apparent temperature ≤20°F for at least 4 consecutive hours) and extreme heat (air temperature ≥95°F with heat index ≥100°F, hours 10 AM-7 PM). It also authorizes the city manager to designate fare-free for special events, subject to federal compliance. Councilmember Scippio asked about end-of-line exit policy (no exemption) and reminded that the system operates at a $30 million annual cost with only $1 million in fare revenue. Councilmember Joiner asked about using state health alerts and ensuring cooling availability on Sundays. Councilmember Clark clarified that fare covers only about 5% of operating cost. The motion carried unanimously (8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Personnel Resolution Amendment: Approved 5-3; adjustments effective January 1, 2026, contingent on completion of Fire Department compensation study.
- Civil Service Board Chair: Dr. Miller appointed unanimously.
- Demolition Orders: All three public hearings (1405 E. 22nd St, 1515 E. 21st St, 1526 E. 25th St) approved unanimously.
- Conveyance of 3882 Draper Street: Approved unanimously; sale price $204,000.
- Transit Fare Policy: Approved unanimously; extreme weather thresholds and special event authority adopted.
- Consent Agenda: All 15 items approved unanimously.
The council also went into closed session to discuss litigation (National Prescription Opioid Litigation and the Thompson v. Burcham case). The meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.
Note: No public comments were made during the public hearings or general agenda. The transcript did not indicate a separate public comment period.
Meeting Transcript
This is what's a topic of the bigger one. You're watching WSTV Digital Media. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Alan Joins, Mayor of Winston Salem, so I'm a pleasure to call to order this August Fourth meeting of the Winston Salem City Council. And ask the city clerk to call the role, please. Councilmember Joyner. Present. Councilmember Clark. Here. Councilmember Andrew Bowen. Here. Councilmember Scipio. Present. Mayor Pratim Adams. Here. Council Member Taylor. Present. Councilmember Hall. Present. And Councilmember Burke. Thank you very much. And would you join the City Council and me in a moment of silence, please? Lieutenant Mr. Geight, thank you for being with us as well. I'll turn the meeting over to the city manager for his uh update. Uh thank you, Mayor. Uh several items tonight. I'm gonna have a couple of other people come up to speak as well. Um, first let me just um uh she was introduced to you uh I think last month, but uh just uh to say that uh Dr. Uh Keena Cofield Jones uh we have the interim's been removed from her title, and she is now serving uh full time as our human resources director, so we thank her. Uh she's back here in the audience somewhere. Uh and then I'm gonna ask um uh ACM Wright to uh introduce our uh another new good evening, Mayor Jones. Um April Tim Adams and City Council. Good evening. We have hired a new human relations director, Mr. Jelani Biggs. Jelani Biggs most recently served as the organizational advancement manager, formerly titled Diversity Equity Inclusion Officer for the City of High Point. Prior to that, he was the city's human relations manager and previously worked as a fair housing investigator for the city of Winston Salem, where he received the Rising Star Award. He holds a bachelor's degree from Moorehouse College and has completed certifications in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University, talent acquisition from Sherm, and Fair Housing through the National Fair Housing Training Academy. He also completed leadership training through the UNC, Chapel Hill School of Government. Mr. Biggs was selected for the 2020 leadership high point class, the 2021 City of High Point Leadership Academy, and recently completed the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Well, thank you for those words, Angel. Uh you reminded me of some of the things that I've I've done. Didn't even remember those. Thank you, Mayor. Mayor Pro Tim and Council. Excited to be boomeranging back to the city of Winston Salem. Excited to be serving in this capacity. See it as an important phenomenal opportunity to serve the city, and I'm excited to get started.
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