Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – September 2, 2025

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (the meeting was held Tuesday due to the Labor Day holiday) and adjourned at 8:06 p.m. The agenda included proclamation presentations, a consent agenda with 22 items (two of which were pulled for separate consideration), and eight general agenda items covering demolitions, economic development, transit improvements, a downtown amphitheater lease, and opioid settlements. Mayor Allen Joines presided, with all nine council members present.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with the exception of items C-2 and C-5, which were considered individually. The approved items included:
  • Grant acceptance for the Forsyth County DWI Task Force
  • Annual Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance grant application
  • Naming of the Salem Lake Pier in honor of Brian K. Hutchins
  • Assumption and subordination of a $200,000 loan by Goler Manor II, LLC
  • Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 funding sub‑allocation letters for Davidson County Transportation and the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation
  • A contract change order with Smith‑Rowe, LLC for the Meadowlark Drive widening project
  • Closure and termination of Doris Street for the At‑Grade Rail Crossing Project RC‑2009A
  • Regional fare agreement among Winston‑Salem, High Point, Greensboro, and Burlington
  • Acceptance of an easement for a Civil Rights Trail marker
  • Purchase orders for pumper trucks and a walk‑in rescue vehicle ($2,336,536.00 from Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. and $1,893,453.30 from First Choice Fire and Safety)
  • Purchase orders for automated leaf collection and rear‑loading refuse trucks ($1,483,804 from Carolina Environmental Systems)
  • Sole source purchase of emergency shelters ($74,992.26 from DLX Enterprises, LLC)
  • Construction contract for Leinbach Drive culvert replacement ($848,189.75 from Mountaineer Contractors, Inc.)
  • Annual blanket purchase orders for sole source information systems and technology vendors
  • Grant agreement for the 2026 Cook Out Clash (Major Events, Games and Attractions Fund)
  • Grant acceptance from the North Carolina Land and Water Trust Fund for stream restoration at The Grounds ($787,662)
  • Fiscal Year 2025‑2026 budget ordinance amendments
  • Settlement agreement in Thompson et al. v. City of Winston‑Salem (23 CVS 2810)
  • Approval of minutes from August 18, 2025

Public Comments & Testimony

• G‑1 (1814 East 18th Street demolition): The property owner, Valecia Lamont, spoke in opposition, stating she had purchased the home from her father, had spent thousands of dollars on repairs, and requested additional time to complete the work. She provided receipts and photos as evidence of her efforts.
• G‑4 (Economic Development Assistance for The Grounds):
  • Proponents: Adam Parker (Senior Vice President, Carter), Coleman Team (Front Street Capital), and Calvin McRae (Greater Winston‑Salem) spoke in favor. They highlighted that the $35 million state grant was already in place, that the $4 million city request would be fully repaid through new tax revenue within four years, that $85 million in new construction is already underway, and that the project is projected to generate $1.3 billion in economic impact and over $40 million in taxes to the city and county in the first 10 years. They also noted the creation of 500 direct jobs and an ongoing partnership with the city to identify a parcel for affordable housing.
  • Opponents: Linda Winikoff, Patti Gillenwater, Vivian Perez Chandler, Sandra Stincon, and Quameka Shavers urged rejection. They argued the city had already contributed substantial public funds and that past promises (e.g., the Truist Stadium) had not materialized as projected. They called for directing the $4 million instead to downtown revitalization, affordable housing, or underserved communities, and criticized the lack of community engagement with residents in affected areas.

Discussion Items

• C‑2 – Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan: Emergency Management Director August Vernon presented the plan. Mayor Pro Tempore Denise Adams asked about improvements to emergency communication, particularly for vulnerable populations. Vernon described ongoing efforts including NOAA weather radios, cell phone alerts, social media, and door‑to‑door outreach. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• C‑5 – Additional Funding for Choice Neighborhood Initiative Phases 2 & 3: Samuel Hunter (Assistant Director of Neighborhood Services) explained that the $3 million in additional gap financing would allow closing on approximately 112–114 units, bringing the total to about 200 units (Phase 1 had 81 units). Phases 4–6 remain. Approved unanimously.
• G‑1 – Demolition of 1814 East 18th Street: Council Member Barbara Hanes Burke described years of neighborhood complaints about the property, noting that recent brick removal had been dumped in a stream and the site had become a nuisance. The owner asked for more time, citing a new job. Council Member James Taylor proposed a 30‑day delay, but Burke opposed. The motion to proceed with demolition passed 5–3 (Aye: Andree‑Bowen, Burke, Clark, Hall, Adams; Nay: Joiner, Scippio, Taylor). The owner has 90 days from approval to bring the property up to code.
• G‑2 – Assessment Roll for Demolitions: No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
• G‑3 – Right‑of‑Way Closure near Carnation Drive: Assistant City Manager Aaron King recommended continuing the item to October 6, 2025 to resolve a signposting issue. Approved unanimously.
• G‑4 – $4 Million Infrastructure Assistance for The Grounds: Extensive debate. Council Member Robert Clark noted the project’s location in the North Ward—an area that suffered job losses after R.J. Reynolds and Piedmont Airlines—and argued the investment was essential. Council Member Vivián Joiner stressed the need to invest citywide, not only downtown. Council Member Hall acknowledged concerns from underserved communities but emphasized the potential tax base growth for funding public services. Council Member Burke opposed, stating private investors could fill the gap. The motion passed 6–2 (Aye: Clark, Hall, Joiner, Scippio, Taylor, Adams; Nay: Andree‑Bowen, Burke).
• G‑5 – Purchase of Gillig Buses for WSTA: Transportation Director Jeff Fansler explained that 24 of the 45 fixed‑route buses are beyond useful life, resulting in over 450 road calls last year. The proposal used $7.6 million in MPO funds to purchase seven 29‑foot clean diesel buses (approx. $700,000 each) and two hybrid buses (approx. $1.2 million each) to catch up on replacement. Council Member Clark questioned the fuel‑efficiency premium for hybrids, but acknowledged the need. The motion to authorize the purchase passed unanimously.
• G‑6 – Lease of Park Land for Downtown Amphitheater: Assistant City Manager Ben Rowe updated the council on discussions to strengthen the noise ordinance with objective standards (decibel thresholds) and incorporate those into the lease agreement. Council Member Burke made a substitute motion to delay the vote until October 6, 2025 to allow for a September 5 meeting with Crystal Towers residents. The substitute motion failed 2–6 (Aye: Andree‑Bowen, Burke; Nay: Clark, Hall, Joiner, Scippio, Taylor, Adams). The original motion to approve the lease (five years at $1 per month) passed 6–2 (same split). Council Member Hall clarified that the vote was only to lease park land, not to approve the amphitheater itself, and noted that the land is currently not eligible for affordable housing without reclassification.
• G‑7 – Opioid Settlement Documents: City Attorney French briefed the council that the resolution authorizes execution of settlement documents with multiple opioid manufacturers and the Sackler family. Funds will support the city’s Bearer program. Approved unanimously.
• G‑8 – Truliant Federal Credit Union Easement: Aaron King explained the item formalizes a 20‑year‑old temporary construction easement for access across city land. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved except C‑2 and C‑5, which were both approved unanimously.
• 1814 E 18th Street demolition ordered (5–3); owner has 90 days to bring property up to code.
• Assessment roll for demolitions confirmed unanimously.
• Carnation Drive right‑of‑way closure continued to October 6, 2025.
• $4 million economic development assistance to Carter/Front Street Capital for infrastructure at The Grounds approved (6–2).
• Purchase of seven clean diesel and two hybrid buses for WSTA approved unanimously.
• Lease of park land for a new downtown amphitheater approved (6–2); staff directed to finalize noise ordinance amendments.
• Opioid settlement documents authorized unanimously.
• Permanent access easement for Truliant Federal Credit Union approved unanimously.