Winston-Salem Public Works Committee Meeting – December 9, 2025
Winston-Salem Public Works Committee Meeting – December 9, 2025
The Public Works Committee met on December 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM. The committee approved the consent agenda, received an update on NCDOT projects, recommended approval of a transportation planning MOU, and recommended approval of a parking ordinance amendment establishing a civil penalty for oversized vehicles. The meeting adjourned at 2:47 PM.
Consent Calendar
- C-1: Petition to Close an Unopened Portion of Fenimore Street (Southwest Ward) – The committee recommended approval and referred the matter to the City Council on February 2, 2026. Approved unanimously (4-0).
- C-2: Approval of Public Works Committee Summary of Minutes (October 14, 2025) – Approved unanimously by consent.
Discussion Items
- G-1: Update on NCDOT Projects in Forsyth County – John Ryan, Division 9 Engineer, presented current and upcoming projects, including the Northern Beltway (eastern section expected late 2026), US 158 widening (completion March 2029), a new interchange on I-421 in Kernersville (letting November 2025, completion January 2031), and $8 million annually for resurfacing. He also outlined upcoming bridge replacements on University Parkway, Germanton Road, 16th Street, 3rd/4th/5th Street, Old Greensboro Road, Silas Creek Parkway, and Kinneman Road. The committee received the update as information only; no vote was taken.
- G-2: Resolution Adopting the Memorandum of Understanding for the Winston-Salem Area Transportation Planning Organization (WSATPO) – Jeff Fansler, Director of Transportation, presented the revised MOU. Changes include rebranding from “Urban Area MPO” to “Transportation Planning Organization” and updated voting weights based on 2020 census (Winston-Salem’s weight: 45 out of 100). No structural changes. The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend approval, referred to City Council on January 5, 2026.
- G-3: Ordinance Amending Section 42-175 – Civil Penalties for Parking Violations and Oversized Vehicle Parking – Reid Hutchins, Transportation Operations Manager, presented the amendment establishing a $50 civil penalty for oversized vehicles parked on streets (vehicles over 80 inches wide or 30 feet long). Existing ordinance already prohibits such parking but lacked an enforceable penalty. Enforcement will be by Winston-Salem Police and parking enforcement staff; warnings will be issued initially. The $50 amount was chosen to align with state statute limits; towing capacity is limited. The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend approval, referred to City Council on January 5, 2026.
Staff Comments
- Year-End Highlights – Assistant City Manager Aaron King summarized departmental accomplishments, including completion of the Northern Beltway eastern section, Metal Art Drive, three sidewalk projects, Liberty Main two-way conversion, Twin City Trail eastern section, Long Branch Trail design, Innovation Quarter stormwater pond (spring 2026), and emergency repairs on Old Salisbury and Buffaver Roads. Street resurfacing: 30 miles completed, $6 million change order approved for spring 2026 work. WSTA: 30 of 85 buses funded for replacement in 18 months, including low-no grants and TPO dollars. Policy changes for fare cap and UMO platform go live in February 2026. Foreshadowed 2026 priorities: capital project backlog, landfill expansion discussions, continued resurfacing, and big decisions on WSTA at January retreat.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously (4-0).
- G-2 (WSATPO MOU) recommended to Council (4-0) for January 5, 2026.
- G-3 (Oversized Vehicle Parking Penalty) recommended to Council (4-0) for January 5, 2026.
- All votes were unanimous with Council Members Burke, Andree-Bowen, Taylor, and Clark present and voting aye.
Meeting Transcript
Have a holly jolly Christmas. It's the best time of the year. I don't know if there'll be snow. But have a cup of cheer. Have a holly jolly Christmas. And when you walk down the street, say hello to friend you know, and everyone you meet. Oh, ho, the mistletoe hung where you can see some body waits for you. Have a holy jolly Christmas and in case you don't hear. And when you walk down the street, say hello to friends and knowing you meet the mistletoe hung where you can see waits for you. Have a holy jolly Christmas. And in case you don't hear my golly, have a holly jolly Christmas year, don't dump, don't think, don't dump, don't think, don't dump the wealth outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. And I'll fro the lungs corn for flopping. The lights are burned way down, low. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. When we finally make kiss good night, how I hate going out in stone. But if you really hold it, say all the way home, I'll be warm. The fire is slowly dying. And my dear, we're still goodbye. But as long as you love me so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I want to see a lot of snow. When we finally kiss good night, how I'll hate going out in the stone. What if you really hold me tight? All the way home, I'll be one. The fire is slowly dying. And my dear, we're still goodbye. But as long as you love me so let it smell, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it smell. We may be rushing things, but get the halls again now. Candles in the window, carried at the spin, and yes, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. It hasn't snowed a single bird here in our supply down the chimney, and not the brightest spring, like I've never seen spy. So the fruit cake. It's time we had some tens of that ever green down, or I've grown a little leaner, roll a little colder, roll a little sadder, roll a little over, and I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder. We need a little Christmas. Yes, we need a little Christmas very minute. We need a little Christmas. Good afternoon, and welcome to the December Public Works Meeting. City Clerk, would you please call the role? Chairwoman Councilmember Burke here. Vice Chair, Councilmember Andrew Bowen. Here. Councilmember Clark. And Councilmember Taylor. Present. Thank you. Committee members, today we have two consent items. Are there any that you all would like to have pulled? I move for approval of the consent agenda. Okay. That has been approved and uh are uh unanimously. So we'll move on to the general agenda.
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