The Winston-Salem City Council met on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. All nine council members were present. The meeting included a proclamation, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on zoning petitions and the FY2026-2027 budget, and a public comment period. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Note: Council Member James Taylor, Jr. was absent from votes? The minutes list 8 ayes from all members except the mayor (who votes only in ties). The transcript shows unanimous votes with 8 ayes. No dissents recorded.
Always had music in me like it was the only way for my body to be always quick to buy the lyric, never hard for me to hear it. I got a melody, I sing inside of me. Got it running through my head, I belong. I bought it down like I'm supposed to, and I don't hear but we most do. I got a melody that could go out. Music in me. Got the music in me. I remember the first time in my life. Singing standards in the background every night. Got a hundred bucks and a couple of drinks. We talk and her bulb beacon links. Always drink that'll be on the big stage of life. That was enough to keep me going. Steady riding down these words, ever no big twenty night, being the boat child's eye. That was the moment I knew music save my life. Yeah, I got the music. Oh hangable. Yeah, I yeah, I got it. Oh, yeah. It is always been this way. You're watching WS TV Digital Media. This weekend, the first one of those will be June 9th at the Georgia Taylor Neighborhood Center from eleven to two. And so they're open. We encourage high school age students, generally from freshmen through seniors, the uh opportunity to get by go behind the scenes of law enforcement, meet officers and specialized units, ask specific questions, and gain a better understanding of what policing looks like in our community. So if you notice anyone that's interested in that, we encourage you to have them apply on our website. And we received feedback from members of the committee and also subsequent to that meeting. So what we are doing tonight is staff is seeking the endorsement of the census tracts that are uh depicted on maps number one, three, four, twenty-two, and twenty-three uh for submission to the Department of Commerce. If there's an opportunity to submit an additional uh track, we will submit that uh depicted on map number eleven. Uh I'll briefly cover why uh there are the strong suits of each track that that we're seeking endorsement for uh on map number one that includes uh both the Whitaker Park area as well as the grounds uh area where investment is underway. Maps three and four are the areas around Smith Reynolds Airport that presents opportunities for both residential and uh industrial development, uh, and then areas on maps 22 and 23 really build on the choice neighborhoods initiative uh and provide opportunities for uh additional affordable housing there. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Ms. Millett, and the council did uh your feedback to the manager to you uh after our committee of the whole there. So any questions from Mr. Millett? Is there a motion to approve the recommendation? I move for approval of the recommendation. Staff recommended census tracts for submission to the Department of Commerce as opportunity zone nomination. Thank you, sir. Second, second, second by councilmember Jorner and Councilmember Hall. Discussion. Not all those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes. Anyone opposed, vote no? And that is unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Millett. All right, item uh G two, please. Item G two, public hearing in consideration of zoning petition of B VJ properties, LLC from RS 7 to RS 7S, located on the east side of Hemlock Drive between Delaware Avenue and Sherbrooke Drive, containing approximately 0.40 acres located in the northeast ward. Thank you. Uh this is a public hearing on this rezoning.