Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – December 1, 2025

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at 101 North Main Street. Mayor Allen Joines presided. The meeting was called to order with roll call; eight members were present (Council Member Annette Scippio participated virtually), Mayor Pro Tempore Denise D. Adams was absent. The meeting included a consent agenda, eight general agenda items, a public comment period, and adjournment at 7:27 p.m.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0) with no items pulled for discussion. Approved items included:

• C-1: Acceptance of a $175,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Policing Development Microgrants Program.
• C-2: Resolution establishing Winston-Salem as a Vision Zero Community and formalizing a Vision Zero Coalition.
• C-3: Resolution affirming the city’s commitment to housing availability, choice, and elimination of housing barriers.
• C-4: Approval of the Travel Policy and Procedures of the Triad Municipal Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
• C-5: Resolution supporting replacement of the Fourth Street Bridge over U.S. 52 as a multi-modal vehicular bridge.
• C-6: Downtown Streetlight Procurement and Replacement Project (resolution authorizing NCDOT agreement and budget ordinance amendment).
• C-7: Purchase order for concrete pipe to Foley Products Company, LLC for $543,994.10.
• C-8: Contract for a Facility Condition Assessment with ALPHA Facilities Solutions, LLC for $649,854.
• C-9: Adoption of the 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar.
• C-10: Approval of the summary minutes from November 17, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

Five residents spoke during the public comment period:

1. Kenan Altic (413 Grandville Drive) commented on housing affordability and wastewater treatment, criticizing the use of LITEC policies and the lack of a clear definition of "affordable" in the consent agenda housing item. He also expressed opposition to corporate tax phase-outs supported by Greater Winston-Salem Incorporated.
2. Ann Gauthreaux (1 Park Vista) spoke in favor of amending the downtown noise ordinance to address excessively loud vehicles, motorcycles, and bar speakers. She suggested piloting a noise camera program on Fourth Street.
3. Chris Joines (400 West Fourth Street) described downtown as becoming unpleasant due to noise from vehicles and bars, urging the council to preserve the quality of the downtown environment for residents and businesses.
4. Carol Hoover (515 Archer Road), speaking on behalf of the Bicycle Pedestrian Active Mobility Advisory Committee, requested increased funding for sidewalk maintenance ($684,000 budgeted, covering 450+ miles), greenways and parks maintenance (under $3.9 million for 3,800 acres), and bike lane preservation. She noted the current maintenance backlog risks pedestrian safety.
5. Hannah Alberston (1 Park Vista) also advocated for a noise ordinance that balances downtown vitality with residents' need for quiet, citing experiences living on Fourth Street.

Discussion Items

G-1 – Ordinance Establishing a City Parks Code of Conduct Assistant City Manager Ben Rowe presented the proposed code of conduct for city parks, inspired by the Carolina Classic Fair model. The ordinance establishes operating hours (sunrise to sunset) and prohibitive behaviors. Implementation will begin with education and signage, prioritizing parks with the highest calls for service (Marshall Park, Washington Park, Gravel Park). Enforcement based on signage will follow after signs are installed (target late spring 2026). Council Member Hall and Council Member Andree-Bowen expressed support, noting the process incorporated community feedback. The motion passed unanimously (7-0).

G-2 – Annexation Agreement with the Village of Clemmons Chris Murphy, Planning Director, explained the agreement sets boundaries for future voluntary annexations along the city-Clemmons border. No public comments were made. Council Member Burke moved approval, seconded by Council Member Taylor. Passed 7-0.

G-3 – Text Amendment to Unified Development Ordinances (UDO-CC31) Mr. Murphy presented a cleanup amendment updating all references from the "Legacy 2030" comprehensive plan to "Forward 2045," which was adopted by both city and county in fall 2024. No public comments. Council Member Joiner moved approval of the consistency statement and the amendment. Passed 7-0.

G-4 through G-8 – Zoning Petitions Four zoning petitions were considered as public hearings; no opposition was voiced for any:

• G-4 (W-3666 – Bless AH, Inc.): Rezoning from GB-L to GB-L on 0.67 acres west of South Stratford Road. Council Member Andree-Bowen noted the applicant worked with staff to reach a consensus. Approved 7-0.
• G-5 (W-3669 – Serenity's Properties LLC): Rezoning from RS7 to RSQ-L on 0.82 acres at East Fourteenth Street and Dellabrook Road. Approved 7-0.
• G-6 (W-3670 – BMS Investment Properties, LLC): Rezoning from GI to RS7 on 0.44 acres at North Glenn Avenue and Hanes Avenue. Approved 7-0.
• G-7/G-8: A motion excused Council Member Taylor from voting on G-8 (W-3671 – Goldwater Holding LLC). The petition rezoned 0.23 acres at Highway 285 and Arnold Avenue from RM8-S to LI-L for off-premises signs. Council Member Joiner moved approval. Passed 7-0 (Taylor excused).

G-9 – Civil Service Board Appeal Hearing Rules City Attorney French presented two proposed sets of rules: one from the Civil Service Board (CSB) and one with staff legal revisions. The CSB is a quasi-judicial body. Brett Moyer, a CSB member, spoke in favor of the CSB-adopted rules, arguing that the city attorney's office has a conflict of interest (per state statute requiring four CSB members to waive the conflict) and that definitions should not rely solely on the employee handbook, which can change without council approval. City Attorney French responded that the legal revisions align with statutory requirements and internal policies; she offered to add time frames for city manager review of new evidence (e.g., three business days). Council Member Clark emphasized the need for consistency between CSB rules and the personnel policy manual. After discussion, the council voted 6-1 (Council Member Hall opposed) to continue the item to the January 12, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting for further deliberation.

G-10/G-11 – Excusal and Sidewalk Easements Council Member Scippio was excused from voting on G-11 (resolution authorizing acquisition of easements for the Barbara Jane Sidewalk Project). Council Member Hall asked about outreach to affected property owners; Assistant City Manager Aaron King confirmed that after council approval, real estate staff would contact the 10 individuals regarding the approved appraisal amounts. Council Member Joiner moved approval. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items and most general agenda items were approved by 7-0 votes (with Mayor Pro Tempore Adams absent).
• Item G-9 (Civil Service Board rules) was continued to January 12, 2026, after a 6-1 vote (Hall opposed).
• Two council member excusals were approved: Council Member Taylor from voting on G-8, and Council Member Scippio from voting on G-11.
• The public comment period included five speakers addressing housing, noise ordinance, downtown environment, and budget priorities. Council indicated staff will follow up as needed.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.