Winston-Salem City Council Meeting - April 6, 2026

The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, adjourning at 6:52 PM. All nine council members were present. The agenda included a proclamation, unanimous approval of a consent agenda, and several general agenda items covering a demolition postponement, multiple bond issuances, WSTA route network changes, and implementation of a fire department classification market study.

Honorariums

• H-1: Council declared April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mayor Pro Tempore Adams presented the proclamation to Elizabeth Miller of The Parenting PATH Organization. The proclamation cited that in 2025, Child Protective Services investigated 3,338 cases of child abuse and neglect in Forsyth County, with 38% of victims under age five.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items C-1 through C-7) was approved unanimously by voice vote with no items pulled. Key actions included:
  • C-1: Ordinance amending Chapter 38 on miscellaneous offenses.
  • C-2: Resolution accepting a donated easement from Duke Energy for educational panels at Patterson Avenue and Northwest Boulevard.
  • C-3: Resolution amending WSTA fare policy to establish a microtransit rate.
  • C-4: Resolution authorizing an $80,000 change order with AMT Engineering for the Twin City Trail and Liberty/Main Two-Way Conversion project (revised contract amount $590,983.35).
  • C-5: Resolution authorizing a $390,000 change order with Sharpe Brothers Inc. for the same project (revised contract $6,282,965.57) and an ordinance amending the FY 2025-2026 budget ordinance.
  • C-6: Resolution authorizing replacement of two network attached storage systems with Data Network Solutions, Inc. for $852,463.74.
  • C-7: Approval of the City Council summary of minutes from March 23, 2026.

Discussion Items and Key Outcomes

G-1: Public Hearing – Demolition at 633 Mulberry Street (South Ward)

• Mayor Joines opened the public hearing; no one from the public spoke. Council Member Joiner moved to continue the item for 30 days due to challenges with the property owner. The council voted unanimously (8-0) to postpone consideration to the May 4, 2026 City Council meeting.

G-2: General Obligation Bond Issuances

• CFO Kelly Latham presented an overview: the city is issuing $10,440,000 in two-thirds general obligation bonds for previously authorized projects and, if rates become favorable, refunding up to $37,800,000 of 2016 bonds. Six public hearings were held for individual bond orders; no public speakers appeared for any. Each was approved unanimously (8-0):
  • G-2a: Streets and Sidewalks bonds – not to exceed $6,612,190.
  • G-2b: Parks and Recreation bonds – not to exceed $449,345.
  • G-2c: Public Safety bonds – not to exceed $247,865.
  • G-2d: Public Facilities bonds – not to exceed $1,130,600.
  • G-2e: Housing bonds – not to exceed $2,000,000.
  • G-2f: General Obligation Refunding bonds – not to exceed $37,800,000.
• G-2g: Resolution authorizing the issuance of 2026A (taxable), 2026B (general obligation), and 2026C (refunding) bonds. Approved unanimously (8-0) via electronic vote.

G-3: Voting Delegate to NC League of Municipalities

• Resolution appointing a voting delegate to the North Carolina League of Municipalities’ 2026 Board of Directors. Approved unanimously (8-0).

G-4: WSTA Route Network Changes

• Transportation Director Jeff Fansler presented the plan: terminate underperforming routes, increase frequency on high-performing routes (shifting from 70% of routes running hourly to 70% running every 30 minutes, with some every 20 minutes), introduce two crosstown routes (W-X North and W-X South) that avoid downtown, and create two microtransit zones (northwest and southeast). Public feedback, particularly about the southeast area, led staff to apply for over $6 million in CMAC grant funding for a three-year microtransit pilot. The pilot is not fully funded for all three years; year three and beyond will require council budget decisions. Fixed route changes will launch in August 2026; microtransit zones will launch in January 2027. Council Members expressed support, with Council Member Andree-Bowen praising the inclusion of the southeast zone and Mayor Pro Tempore Adams requesting signage in Spanish and at bus stops for riders without internet access. The resolution was approved unanimously (8-0).

G-5: Fire Classification Market Study Implementation

• HR Director Dr. Kena Cofield Jones presented the study by Piedmont Triad Regional Council. Key findings: Winston-Salem’s education/military subclass system is unique among peers; education incentives (5% for associate, 10% for bachelor) are twice the market average. The proposed plan provides a minimum 4.32% salary increase for all certified fire personnel (on top of the 2% merit increase from January 2026), removes the subclass system, adjusts education incentives to 2.5% (associate) and 5% (bachelor) for new hires after July 6, 2026 (current employees and those hired before that date can retain the higher rates until June 30, 2032), and reduces the military incentive from 5% to 3%. Battalion Chief position moves from grade 112 to 113. The annualized cost is $1.96 million, a 4.4% increase to FY26 fire staffing costs. The resolution and budget ordinance were approved unanimously (8-0).

Mayor/Council Comments

• No additional comments were made.

Adjournment

• Meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM via a unanimous voice vote.