OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – May 18, 2026

Meeting Portal — Monday, May 18, 2026
BodyWinston Salem, North Carolina
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, May 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:45:16

Transcript — Verbatim
1:52

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.

2:07

I got a melody, I sing inside of me.

2:17

Got it running through my head, I belong.

2:22

I bought it down like I'm supposed to, and I don't hear but we most do.

2:28

I got a melody that could go out.

2:34

Music in me.

2:49

Got the music in me.

2:55

I remember the first time in my life.

2:59

Singing standards in the background every night.

3:04

Got a hundred bucks and a couple of drinks.

3:07

We talk and her bulb beacon links.

3:10

Always drink that'll be on the big stage of life.

3:16

That was enough to keep me going.

3:20

Steady riding down these words, ever no big twenty night, being the boat child's eye.

3:30

That was the moment I knew music save my life.

4:42

Yeah, I got the music.

5:17

Oh hangable.

5:42

Yeah, I yeah, I got it.

5:53

Oh, yeah.

6:07

It is always been this way.

14:40

You're watching WS TV Digital Media.

18:28

This weekend, the first one of those will be June 9th at the Georgia Taylor Neighborhood Center from eleven to two.

18:39

And so they're open.

18:40

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.

18:59

So if you notice anyone that's interested in that, we encourage you to have them apply on our website.

30:20

And we received feedback from members of the committee and also subsequent to that meeting.

30:25

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.

30:42

If there's an opportunity to submit an additional uh track, we will submit that uh depicted on map number eleven.

30:51

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.

31:09

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.

31:32

I'm happy to answer any questions.

31:34

Thank you, Ms.

31:34

Millett, and the council did uh your feedback to the manager to you uh after our committee of the whole there.

31:41

So any questions from Mr.

31:42

Millett?

31:43

Is there a motion to approve the recommendation?

31:46

I move for approval of the recommendation.

31:49

Staff recommended census tracts for submission to the Department of Commerce as opportunity zone nomination.

31:56

Thank you, sir.

31:57

Second, second, second by councilmember Jorner and Councilmember Hall.

32:01

Discussion.

32:02

Not all those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes.

32:06

Anyone opposed, vote no?

32:14

And that is unanimous.

32:16

Thank you, Mr.

32:16

Millett.

32:17

All right, item uh G two, please.

32:20

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.

32:40

Thank you.

32:41

Uh this is a public hearing on this rezoning.

32:43

Is there anyone in council chamber who wishes to be heard on this proposed rezoning?

32:50

Seeing no one, I'll declare the uh public hearing closed.

32:54

I'd recognize Councilmember Burke if uh she's ready for a motion.

32:58

Thank you, Mr.

32:59

Mayor.

32:59

I move for approval of one, the statement of consistency for the approval of this item and two W-3680.

33:10

Second.

33:11

Second by Councilmember Hall.

33:12

Any further discussion questions?

33:16

If not, all those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████13%
Youth Programs█████████████13%
Arts And Culture██████████10%
Procedural██████████10%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – May 18, 2026

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.

Honorariums

  • Proclamation Declaring May 18, 2026 as Delta Sigma Theta Day: Camille French, President of the Winston-Salem Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., received the proclamation.

Consent Calendar

  • All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously by an 8–0 vote (Council Member James Taylor, Jr. absent from vote? Note: minutes show 8 ayes, no nays). Items included:
    • Budget ordinances for FY2025-2026 (amendments to appropriation and project budget).
    • Mayor Joines' appointments/reappointments to Bicycle/Pedestrian/Active Mobility Advisory Committee, Recreation and Parks Commission, Police Officers' Retirement Commission, Public Art Commission, Public Assembly Facilities Commission, Community Sustainability Program Committee, City-County Planning Board, and Affordable Housing Coalition.
    • Approval of City Council Summary of Minutes from May 4, 2026.

General Agenda – Opportunity Zones 2.0

  • G-1: Council Recommendation on Opportunity Zones 2.0 Designation Priorities: Ken Millett, Director of Economic Development, presented staff-recommended census tracts (maps 1, 3, 4, 22, 23, and optionally 11) for submission to the Department of Commerce. The council voted unanimously (8–0) to endorse the recommendation.

Public Hearings and Zoning Petitions

  • G-2: BVJ Properties, LLC (W-3680) – Rezoning from RS7 to RS7-S on 0.40 acres on Hemlock Drive. No public speakers. Approved unanimously (8–0).
  • G-3: Efincia Companies, LLC (W-3681) – Rezoning from RS9 to RM8-S on 11.17 acres on Sentry Point Lane. No public speakers. Approved unanimously (8–0).
  • G-4: High Heat Marketing, LLC and M Legacy Properties, LLC (W-3683) – Rezoning from RS9 to RSQ-S on 0.62 acres at Jerry Street and Lansing Drive. No public speakers. Approved unanimously (8–0).
  • G-5: Everly Development, LLC (W-3682) – Site plan amendment for 37.21 acres on Teague Road, changing from 96 townhomes to 62 single-family homes. Public hearing held:
    • Proponent: Stephen Phillips (Thyme Properties) stated the change aligns with original single-family zoning, reduces density, and included community outreach. He noted three lots partially in the floodplain but said recertification is underway.
    • Opponent: Mohamad Gadder (4260 Morning Star Lane) expressed concern that 11 lots are in the 100-year floodplain, citing wider actual flooding. He requested those lots be moved or not built.
    • Staff Comments: Director Murphy explained that 11 lots are within the mapped floodplain; the petitioner will seek a Conditional Letter of Map Revision from the Army Corps of Engineers for seven lots. The Planning Board recommended approval.
    • Councilmember Taylor moved for approval, citing the reduced density and plan. Approved unanimously (8–0).
  • G-6: UDO-CC34 Text Amendment – Amendments to Chapters 2, 3, and 4 of the Unified Development Ordinance to comply with North Carolina House Bill 926 (changes include removal of waiting period after rezoning denial, vested rights clarification). No public speakers. Approved unanimously (8–0).

Public Hearing on Proposed FY2026-2027 Budget

  • G-7: Budget Director Scott Tash presented the proposed $703 million budget, including a 4.6% property tax increase (approx. $5.50/month for median home), 5% water/sewer increases, $1/ton solid waste increase, and 4% stormwater increase in January. Over 34 speakers signed up; 30 spoke (two-minute limit). Speakers represented organizations including Bookmarks, The Dwelling, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, IFB Solutions, Piedmont Environmental Alliance, Rejuvenation Support Services, Kaleidum, Crosby Scholars, Smart Start, Legal Aid, Authoring Action, World Relief, Child Care Resource Center, and others. Many requested funding for specific programs. The public hearing was closed. No vote taken.

Public Comment Period

  • Fifteen speakers addressed general city matters:
    • Heat safety for lifeguards (Jen McGarvey, Carolynn Warren cited a June 2025 incident at Waterworks where four lifeguards were hospitalized for heat exhaustion).
    • Noise ordinance enforcement downtown (Forrest Bulley, Ty Alford, Brittany Crandall requested stricter enforcement and earlier cutoffs for sidewalk corrals).
    • Fair Justice and Public Safety Ordinance (Olivia Doyle, Miranda Jones, Marilyn Lacunza, Jen Wiles, Mikhail Holt) urged mandatory citation in lieu of arrest for marijuana possession, citing disproportionate arrests of Black residents.
    • Gun violence prevention (Asante Benton Bailey, Kani Adon Bey) called for redirecting police funds to housing and establishing an Office of Violence Prevention.
    • Support for city boards (Matthew Mayers praised reappointments).
    • Announcement of a community meeting (Tanya Sheffield for Forsyth IAF).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda and all zoning petitions approved unanimously (8–0).
  • Council endorsed Opportunity Zones 2.0 census tract nominations.
  • Budget public hearing held; further budget workshop scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM; adoption slated for June 1, 2026.
  • Public comments received on heat safety, noise, marijuana enforcement, violence prevention, and community engagement.
  • 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.

Meeting Transcript

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.

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