Winston-Salem City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - March 9, 2026
Winston-Salem City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - March 9, 2026
The Winston-Salem City Council Committee of the Whole met on March 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM to discuss a wide range of topics including an economic development update, consent agenda items, Winston Lake Golf Course renovations, disposition of city-owned multifamily properties, fire personnel pay adjustments, Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) route changes and microtransit fare policy, bond issuances, and the community agencies funding process. Notable votes included approval of a pay plan for certified fire personnel effective in April 2026 and approval of WSTA service changes.
Consent Calendar
- C-1: Request for a public hearing on demolition of a structure at 633 Mulberry Street (South Ward) – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-3: Request for a public hearing on annexation of Brookberry Farm Phase 9, Lot 650 – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-4: Resolution accepting a donated easement from Duke Energy for educational panels at Patterson Avenue and Northwest Boulevard – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-5: Resolution authorizing an $80,000 change order with AMT Engineering for Twin City Trail and Liberty/Main Two-Way Conversion projects (revised contract amount $590,983.35) – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-6: Resolution authorizing a $390,000 change order with Sharpe Brothers Inc. for Liberty/Main Two-Way Conversion (revised contract amount $6,282,965.57) and accompanying budget ordinance – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-7: Resolution authorizing replacement of two network attached storage systems with Data Network Solutions, Inc. for $852,463.74 – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-8: Ordinance amending Chapter 38 relating to miscellaneous offenses and provisions – referred to City Council on April 6, 2026.
- C-9: Approval of Committee of the Whole summary minutes from January 12, 2026 – approved by consent vote.
Item C-2 (demolition at 1135 Argonne Boulevard) was pulled by Council Member Taylor and continued to the April 13, 2026, General Government Committee meeting to allow for a potential purchase and rehab.
Presentations
Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. Economic Development Update Mark Owens, President and CEO, reported that since 2020, a total of 3,039 jobs have been announced along with $831 million in committed capital investment. Mayor Pro Tempore Adams asked about data centers; Mr. Owens responded that while inquiries have occurred, he does not foresee suitable sites in Winston-Salem due to high electricity and water requirements.
Discussion Items
1. Winston Lake Golf Course Renovation and Improvements
Richard Mandell (Golf Architect) and William Royston (Recreation and Parks Director) presented. The greens, built with push-up construction on red clay, are the primary issue. Trees were cleared (~50 acres) to improve air and sunlight but drainage and percolation remain poor (current percolation rate 5 inches/hour vs. desired 10-20). Estimated cost to rebuild all 19 greens is $3.8 million; full course renovation (greens, tees, cart paths, irrigation, new grass) is $11.5 million. Council members expressed strong support, noting the course's heritage and potential as a revenue generator. The driving range net replacement is funded and expected to open this year. Council members requested regular updates and emphasized the need to fund improvements.
2. Disposition of Four City-Owned Multifamily Properties
Michael Blair (Housing Development) presented on plans to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Plaza Apartments (77 units), 800 North Spring Street (8 units), 1200 Willie Davis Drive (6 units), and 1635 Cleveland Avenue (4 units). City Manager Pat Pate explained that the city is not equipped to manage these properties long-term and that ASPIRE (Housing Authority) cannot continue managing Plaza at a loss. Council Member Burke expressed concern about being blindsided and emphasized that tenant displacement must be avoided. Council Member Scipio asked if these properties automatically fall under the city's affordable housing policy; staff clarified that council would need to designate them. Mayor Pro Tempore Adams requested staff to bring back options and educate the community.
3. Fire Personnel Pay Plan Based on Market Study
Dr. Kena Cofield Jones (HR Director) and Scott Tesh (Budget Director) presented. The market study (19 peer agencies, 5 responded to benefits survey) found firefighter salaries 2.2% below market average on average, with entry-level firefighters having the largest gap. The proposed pay plan eliminates the tiered education/military subclasses and adjusts education incentives (associate degree from 5% to 2.5%, bachelor's from 10% to 5%) for new hires after July 1, 2032. Military incentive reduced from 5% to 3.5%. Total annualized cost is $1.96 million (salary + benefits). Council Member Andree-Bowen moved for implementation effective January 2026 (retroactive to when benefit cuts took effect); Council Member Hall substituted a motion for the first full pay period in April 2026. The substitute motion passed 6-2, with Council Members Andree-Bowen and Joiner voting nay. Staff will bring a budget amendment for the current year ($500,000 for three months) and the full amount for FY2027.
4. WSTA Route Network Changes
Kelly Garvin (Assistant Transportation Director) presented. Proposed changes include increasing frequency on eight routes (from 60-minute to 30-minute headways on 70% of the network), introducing two cross-town job lines (WISTA X South and North), creating a microtransit zone in the northwest, and eliminating some low-performing routes (101, 108, 82, 102, 88, 97, 109). Staff held community meetings; 87 surveys received as of March 3. A public hearing is scheduled for March 23, 2026. Council Member Burke noted the microtransit zone serves the northwest; Council Member Taylor asked for cost estimates for a potential southeast microtransit zone. The resolution was approved by a vote of 8-0.
5. WSTA Microtransit Fare Policy
Jeff Fansler (Transportation Director) presented. Recommended fare for microtransit is $2 per ride, with free transfers to and from fixed-route buses (one free transfer per trip). The 30-day pass and daily cap do not apply to microtransit. Council Member Scipio expressed concern that the $2 fare may disincentivize ridership. Staff noted it aligns with peer cities and reflects higher per-ride cost. The resolution was approved by voice vote.
6 & 7. Bond Issuances
- Item 6: Resolution to issue $10,440,000 in Two-Thirds General Obligation Bonds (Series 2026 A and B) and $37,800,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Series 2026 C). The refinancing of 2012A, 2014, and 2016 GO bonds is expected to save $1.6 million net present value (gross savings $1.7 million). Projects funded include sidewalks, parks, and public safety.
- Item 7: Resolution to issue $80,000,000 in Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2026. Refinancing 2016 water/sewer bonds expected to save $6 million net present value (gross savings $7 million, a 7.2% savings). Both items were approved by votes of 8-0.
Staff Comments
Community Agencies Funding Process Scott Tesh (Budget Director) provided an overview. Council members received unique links to two online scoring sheets (General Fund and Occupancy Tax Fund) to rank their top five priorities and allocate funds. Total General Fund allocation targets were provided; Occupancy Tax has $425,000 to allocate. Paper copies are available. Completed sheets are due in two weeks.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved (except C-2 continued to April 13).
- Fire pay plan approved with effective date first full pay period in April 2026 (6-2 vote); staff to bring budget amendment.
- WSTA route changes and microtransit fare policy approved (8-0 votes).
- Bond issuances approved (8-0 votes).
- Council directed staff to return with options for disposition of multifamily properties and possible addition to affordable housing list.
- Community agency funding sheets due in two weeks.
Meeting adjourned at 4:19 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Get to that level and needing that water for cooling at that same piece. But we are looking at it. I don't see foresee any sites necessarily in the city of Winston-Salem that would uh fit for that. The power need is so high that there's very few opportunities for that. And it is a tough conversation because they bring significant capital investment most of the time with a B in the capital investment for opportunities for tax growth, but you have to weigh how much of the water usage it would require. We don't have a project at this very moment to bring forth for consideration, but they are looking around and they have looked throughout for Scythe County, but not I don't believe we've had a specific large data center use in the our inquiry in the city of Winston-Salem, yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Wins. Keep keep up good work, keep bringing us projects, and we're ready to do. Great. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you for leading in this space. I know we get to do that that front facing, but it wouldn't wouldn't be possible without your investments into this. And you do have great staff members across the departments that we we meet weekly and monthly together with that are fantastic. So Mr. Mayor, thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Owens. All right. I I did forget to recognize our Sergeant at Arms, Corporal Curtis Dawkins. Corporal, thank you for being with us today as well. Um we'll go to the consent agenda, which is comprised of items uh of all four uh committees. Items that are pulled from the consent agenda today will be presented during that section of our discussion today. There'll be no discussion of the these items unless the council members say request. Uh I know Councilmember Taylor wishes to pull item C2. Are they any other items? Vote for approval of the consent agenda. Second. Thank you. Motion by Mayor Pro Team, second by Council Merhal. All those in favor of the consent agenda, please say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed, no, and that is unanimous. All right, now we will uh go to the uh individual um items. I will go to the general committee first, and uh soon we'll take that uh consent item that we just pulled off. So uh go ahead to first items. Item C2 request for a public hearing on an ordinance ordering the demolition and removal of a structure at 1135 Argonne Boulevard, located in the Southeast Ward. Councilmember Taylor. Thank you, Mayor. May I approach members of the council. We have an opportunity here to uh for purchase and a rehab. It'd be my motion today just to delay this item for 30 days uh to allow this process to take place and then we'll revisit at that time. Very good. I move for approval. Second. Before you vote on that, if I could ask Councilman Taylor if he would just do that to April 13th, which is the next general government committee. No, but I would definitely include that in ask that it be included in the okay. The motion is to continue this to April 13th. Uh to the next general government committee.
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