OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Winston-Salem City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

Meeting Portal — Monday, November 17, 2025
BodyWinston Salem, North Carolina
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, November 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:29:42

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening.

0:03

I'm Alan Joins, Mayor of Winston Salem.

0:05

It's my pleasure to call to order this November 17th meeting at the Winston Salem City Council and ask the city clerk to call the roll, please.

0:12

Councilmember Joyner.

0:14

Present.

0:14

Councilmember Clark.

0:15

Here.

0:16

Councilmember Andrew Bowen.

0:17

Here.

0:18

Councilmember Sipio.

0:19

Present.

0:20

Mayor Pro Tim Adams.

0:22

Here.

0:22

Councilmember Taylor.

0:24

Present.

0:24

Councilmember Hall.

0:25

Present.

0:25

And Councilmember Burke.

0:26

Here.

0:28

Thank you all very much.

0:29

Would you please join the City Council and meeting in a moment of silence?

0:42

Thank you.

0:43

Would you please join the City Council meeting the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:49

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

0:57

One nation under God with the justice.

1:06

Thank you.

1:06

Our surgeon at arms tonight is Lieutenant Joshua Caffey.

1:10

Coffee, excuse me, and our fire marshal is Peter Geit.

1:13

Thank you both for being with us tonight.

1:16

We're televising this meeting live tonight on the CV 13 as well as the city's YouTube page.

1:22

And it will be replayed tomorrow at 9 a.m.

1:24

and again Wednesday at 9 p.m.

1:26

Callers says you know copies of our agenda as well as videos of previous meetings are always available on the city's website, and just click on the watch meetings online option.

1:36

I can recognize our uh city manager for uh his update.

1:40

Uh thank you, uh Mayor.

1:42

Uh a couple of just items tonight.

1:44

When there has been some questions uh are come back from uh generally from the public about uh the WISTA rides during extreme cold conditions.

1:55

So just as a reiteration for council of of what's been approved, there is a threshold which is any consecutive four hours where the apparent temperature in the wind chill is at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

2:09

And then if the forecasted apparent temperature in Winston-Salem, this is based on the forecasted apparent temperature in Winston-Salem as published by the National Weather Service.

2:20

And once that is in effect, any operational hour of minimum of four hours that the apparent temperature is going to remain at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, we will be operating free bus allowing free bus rides to get people to uh heating shelters um and other uh facilities that may be open.

2:41

And we did uh do uh uh one uh operational already the this year.

2:49

With the federal government reopened now, we are starting to get some regular updates on the status of some of our grants uh that are moving forward.

2:57

Uh we know that federal agencies have begun this process of addressing a huge backlog of grant payments, contract approvals, and program reviews that were delayed during the shutdown.

3:09

So we're expecting those uh to continue for the next couple of months before they return to normal.

3:15

Federal agencies are expected to issue some updated guidance over the coming weeks outlining any revised grant deadlines, reporting schedules, and contract timelines affected by the lapse and funding.

3:27

And uh and I just uh spoke with uh Councilmember Andre Bowen as amongst others.

3:32

There is because of the the amount of SNAP benefits and other things that were delayed.

3:38

There is still a huge issue with food security in our community.

3:43

So we still encourage folks to think about donating to uh appropriate food banks and and other folks that may be in need during this season.

3:53

As a reminder, city offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, November 27th and 28th.

3:59

Solid waste collections will be affected by that, and you can encourage folks to download the Winston-Salem Collects app to keep track of these collection changes.

4:09

You can also get the information on our website or by calling CityLink 311.

4:14

One recognition I wanted to note our assistant lake manager at Salem Lake, uh, Cody Orman has received the North Carolina Environmental Education Certificate certification, demonstrating his passion and commitment to environmental stewardship, which is reflected in the programming at Salem Lake.

4:33

The certification program encourages professional development and educate in environmental education and acknowledges educators committed to environmental stewardship.

4:43

The program establishes standards for professional excellence and environmental education for formal and non-formal educators.

4:49

So if you know or see Cody, we hope you'll extend your congratulations to him as well.

4:54

And that's all I have for tonight.

4:56

Thank you, Ms.

4:56

Payne.

4:56

Any questions from Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Zoning██████6%
Homelessness██████6%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Energy Management██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Winston-Salem City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting began with a moment of silence, pledge of allegiance, and recognition of the sergeant-at-arms. Mayor Allen Joines presided. All eight council members present voted unanimously on all items. The meeting included an honorarium, consent agenda, nine general agenda items, a presentation on the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, a public comment period with 12 speakers, and a closed session.

Consent Calendar

  • C-1: Resolution approving the issuance of up to $20,500,000 in Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the Residences at Indiana Avenue to satisfy Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code. Approved unanimously.
  • C-2: Resolution authorizing extension of the Forsyth DRIVE Program Agreement with the City, District Attorney, Clerk of Court, and NC Administrative Office of the Courts. Approved unanimously.
  • C-3: Amendments to the FY 2025-2026 Budget Ordinances (Annual Appropriation and Tax Levy, and Project Budget). Approved unanimously.
  • C-4: Approval of the summary of minutes from the November 3, 2025 City Council meeting. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Twelve speakers addressed the council during the public comment period (limited to 30 minutes, with two additional speakers allowed by unanimous consent):

  • Emily Harkins (502 N Broad St) thanked the council for supporting the winter shelter season, calling it the most collaborative shelter season since 2013.
  • Brett Moyer (411 Marshall St) addressed civil service board rules, noting disagreements on definitions and the role of the city attorney.
  • Ashton Parrinello (1528 Mallory Circle) spoke on behalf of Local 682, criticizing the city manager's office for changing United Way campaign rules for the fire department, and urged protection of the Civil Service Board's independence.
  • Carroll Pulley (1 Park Vista Lane) discussed Marshall Park, asking to delay park signage until spring and to reconsider sunset closing times.
  • Frank James (1 Park Vista Lane) expressed safety concerns about Marshall Park, requested no restoration of removed furniture, and stressed downtown safety.
  • Debra Demske (1722 Princeton St) spoke on behalf of the Sierra Club against the Transco pipeline expansion, citing safety risks and poor management.
  • Carol Hoover (515 Archer Rd) urged reinstatement of state funding for pedestrian and bicycle projects, noting 8 pedestrian and 1 bicyclist deaths in 2024 with $130 million in economic costs.
  • McKenzie Cates Allen (725 N Cherry St) thanked the council for supporting the Citizens Police Academy and invited the community to the Holiday Parade on December 6.
  • Mike Kline (822 W Fourth St) praised the Veterans Day parade and expressed concern about a recent juvenile death from a gunshot wound.
  • Catherine Hashei (3500 Regents Park) spoke as a business owner near Marshall Park, requesting stronger enforceable ordinances against prolonged lingering.
  • Lauren Carter (502 N Broad St) highlighted the lack of daytime facilities for people experiencing homelessness, especially for women.
  • Tarq Bligen (3694 Tech Ave) suggested addressing root causes of homelessness, such as tiny house communities, and announced a Thanksgiving giveaway.

Discussion Items

  • G-1: Resolution authorizing the conditional sale of a city-owned lot to Prosperity Alliance, Inc. for development of 46 townhomes (Southeast Ward). Approved unanimously.
  • G-2: Public hearing and resolution for voluntary annexation of approximately 12.85 acres (Brookberry Farm Phase 13) – no public comments. Approved unanimously.
  • G-3: Zoning petition W-3662 (City of Winston-Salem) from County MU-S to City MU-S on the annexed 12.85 acres. Approved unanimously.
  • G-4: Zoning petition W-3663 (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education) on 7.37 acres near US 52 and N Cleveland Ave. Approved unanimously.
  • G-5: Zoning petition W-3664 (Omega Seafood, LLC) from RS9 to RM8-S on 13.54 acres on S Stratford Road. Approved unanimously.
  • G-6: Zoning petition W-3665 (Parker Real Estate and Development, LLC) from RS9 to RM5-S on 2.03 acres on Densmore Street. Approved unanimously.
  • G-7: Zoning petition W-3667 (Longleaf Properties, LLC and Wilson Legacy, LLC) from RM18 to RMU-S on 7.36 acres at Bethabara Road and Oldtown Road. Approved unanimously.
  • G-8: Site plan amendment W-3668 (Fred and Mary Simmons Joint Revocable Trust) for parking area expansion on 0.58 acres. Approved unanimously.
  • G-9: Presentation on the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) by Jessica Mendez Rowe (Piedmont Environmental Alliance) and Robert Leek (Power Up North Carolina). They urged the council to pass a resolution opposing the proposed 42-inch diameter methane gas pipeline through Forsyth, Davidson, and Guilford counties, citing safety risks, proximity to schools and hospitals, limited local benefits, and Transco's poor safety record. The council indicated they would consider the matter in December.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes on the consent agenda, general agenda items, closed session, and adjournment were unanimous (8-0).
  • The council will consider a resolution opposing the SSEP pipeline at the December 1, 2025 meeting.
  • The council entered closed session pursuant to NCGS §143-318.11(a)(5)(i) to discuss real property acquisition negotiations.
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM (estimated from transcript length).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'm Alan Joins, Mayor of Winston Salem. It's my pleasure to call to order this November 17th meeting at the Winston Salem City Council and ask the city clerk to call the roll, please. Councilmember Joyner. Present. Councilmember Clark. Here. Councilmember Andrew Bowen. Here. Councilmember Sipio. Present. Mayor Pro Tim Adams. Here. Councilmember Taylor. Present. Councilmember Hall. Present. And Councilmember Burke. Here. Thank you all very much. Would you please join the City Council and meeting in a moment of silence? Thank you. Would you please join the City Council meeting the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God with the justice. Thank you. Our surgeon at arms tonight is Lieutenant Joshua Caffey. Coffee, excuse me, and our fire marshal is Peter Geit. Thank you both for being with us tonight. We're televising this meeting live tonight on the CV 13 as well as the city's YouTube page. And it will be replayed tomorrow at 9 a.m. and again Wednesday at 9 p.m. Callers says you know copies of our agenda as well as videos of previous meetings are always available on the city's website, and just click on the watch meetings online option. I can recognize our uh city manager for uh his update. Uh thank you, uh Mayor. Uh a couple of just items tonight. When there has been some questions uh are come back from uh generally from the public about uh the WISTA rides during extreme cold conditions. So just as a reiteration for council of of what's been approved, there is a threshold which is any consecutive four hours where the apparent temperature in the wind chill is at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. And then if the forecasted apparent temperature in Winston-Salem, this is based on the forecasted apparent temperature in Winston-Salem as published by the National Weather Service. And once that is in effect, any operational hour of minimum of four hours that the apparent temperature is going to remain at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, we will be operating free bus allowing free bus rides to get people to uh heating shelters um and other uh facilities that may be open. And we did uh do uh uh one uh operational already the this year. With the federal government reopened now, we are starting to get some regular updates on the status of some of our grants uh that are moving forward. Uh we know that federal agencies have begun this process of addressing a huge backlog of grant payments, contract approvals, and program reviews that were delayed during the shutdown. So we're expecting those uh to continue for the next couple of months before they return to normal. Federal agencies are expected to issue some updated guidance over the coming weeks outlining any revised grant deadlines, reporting schedules, and contract timelines affected by the lapse and funding. And uh and I just uh spoke with uh Councilmember Andre Bowen as amongst others. There is because of the the amount of SNAP benefits and other things that were delayed. There is still a huge issue with food security in our community. So we still encourage folks to think about donating to uh appropriate food banks and and other folks that may be in need during this season. As a reminder, city offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, November 27th and 28th.

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