Winston-Salem City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026
City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026
The Winston-Salem City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a moment of silence for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a resolution honoring first responders, a city manager update on transit changes and community events, consideration of consent and general agenda items, and a closed session. All votes were taken electronically.
Consent Calendar
- C-1: Resolution accepting continued grant funding from N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program for BikeSafe Regional Coordinator (approved).
- C-2: Resolution accepting grant funding for Forsyth County DWI Joint Task Force and related agreements (approved).
- C-3: Grant funding for WSPD Overtime Traffic Enforcement Initiative (approved).
- C-4: Resolution rescinding $2,258,234 in HOME-ARP funding allocation to Step Up America (pulled for discussion; approved after debate).
- C-5: Request for public hearing on closing portion of South Spring Street (approved).
- C-6: Resolution authorizing abandonment/relocation of access easement on Tax PIN 6867-50-1123 (approved).
- C-7: Supplemental agreement with NCDOT for additional $2,086,722 for Silas Creek Parkway Sidewalk Project (approved).
- C-8: Resolution amending WSTA Extreme Weather and Special Events Fare Policy (pulled for discussion; amended and approved).
- C-9: Construction contract for Miller Park Improvements not-to-exceed $968,622.64 (approved).
- C-10: Additional sole source vendors for FY 2026-2027 (approved).
- C-11: Debt payment agreement with Mineral Springs Volunteer Fire Department (total $42.70) (approved).
- C-12: FY 2026-2027 budget ordinance amendments (approved).
- C-13: Approval of city council summary minutes (approved).
Discussion Items
C-4 – HOME-ARP Funding Rescission: Mayor Pro Tem Adams inquired about remaining funds ($4,887,567 total received; remaining $2,572,567 after approved projects). Staff explained the funds are for low-income housing and homeless services, and that remaining money is being considered for rehab projects. Councilmember Adams requested ongoing auditing for compliance. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
C-8 – WSTA Fare Policy Amendment: Jeff Fansler, Director of Transportation, presented the amendment to allow fare-free service the entire operational day when extreme weather thresholds are met (95°F temperature or 100°F heat index; cold weather wind chill ≤20°F). Councilmember Joiner noted recent 93°F day with 104°F heat index and suggested changing the threshold to solely a 100°F heat index. Staff agreed the change is operationally feasible. Councilmember Joiner moved to approve as amended; motion passed unanimously.
G-2 – Demolition at 3005 Teresa Avenue: Councilmember Burke moved approval but requested a list of all current properties being considered for demolition along with estimated costs, to better understand prioritization and financial impact. Dr. Lanier confirmed staff can provide the list. Vote: 7 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilmember Joiner).
G-4 – Chatham Block Historic Landmark: Michelle McCullough presented the application for local historic landmark designation based on architectural (Harold Macland, stripped classicism/art deco) and commercial significance (Montado’s, a women-owned business operated by Lillian Montado). Staff recommended designation of exterior, interior, and site. Councilmember Scippio noted a date error (May 6, 2023 should be 2026). No public comments. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
G-5 – Firearms Ordinance Extension: Amendment to allow state/federal wildlife officers to discharge rifles at Smith Reynolds Airport for deer and wild turkey management through August 31, 2027. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
City Manager Update:
- WSTA implemented the largest service change in recent history on Sunday, September 6, 2026, shifting to 30-minute frequency on 70% of routes and adding two new job-access lines (WSTA X West and X South). First week saw no major incidents; ridership observed. A microtransit pilot is planned for January 2027.
- Ongoing marketing of transit changes through October and engagement with large employers.
- Yard waste sticker adhesion issues: new stickers ordered; collection continues.
- New greenway guide available online; Long Branch Trail public meeting Sept. 30; Salem Creek Greenway flood survey.
- Upcoming events: International Village Food & Music Festival (Sept. 12), Rural Hall Area Plan meeting (Sept. 23), City Services Expo & Community Conversation (Sept. 24), Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful Big Sweep (Oct. 3).
- City received Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from GFOA.
Honorarium H-1: Resolution honoring memory of September 11, 2001, and recognizing first responders. Chief Trey Mayo and Assistant Police Chief Jake Swain spoke about the lasting impact of 9/11 on emergency services. Resolution passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved with items C-4 and C-8 individually discussed and approved (C-4 unanimously, C-8 with amendment unanimously).
- Demolition ordinances for 2608 Stockton Street (G-1) and 1511 Attucks Street (G-3) approved unanimously.
- Demolition ordinance for 3005 Teresa Avenue (G-2) approved 7-1, with a directive to provide a list of all pending demolitions and costs.
- Chatham Block designated a local historic landmark (G-4) unanimously.
- Firearms ordinance extension for wildlife management at airport (G-5) approved unanimously.
- Council went into closed session and later adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
I kept protect out just up the diamonds and pearls. Now you won't give up on me, cause things got good. But baby, I won't give up on her. You know we've over said something that we can't take back. Oh, gotta stop being just like this. Somebody give me a shot. Tell me what may be your name. Tell me what may be your name. I'm gonna follow. Tell me what you have on your mind. Tell me what you have on your mind. I won't ask you before you go. Yes, a few more questions. I won't say before you go. The name of your street and phone number. You entrail and one flow. When you walk through the garden, you gotta watch your back. I'll beg your pardon on a straight and narrow track. You say you want Jesus to save your soul. You gotta keep the devil way down in the hole. All the angels are singing about Jesus might have soul. And they should do with the we're close to the Lord. Don't think about temptation. You gotta keep the devil way down in the hole. You say you want Jesus. Way down in the hole. Way down in the hole. Way down in a hole. Way down and all in a hole. See you so you gotta keep the devil way down in the hole way down in the hole way down in the hole way down in a hole way down in a hole way down in the hole way down in a hole down Way down in a hole way down in the hole Yeah, I haven't daddy luck since my good love put me down having that love since me down drifting and drifting for all over town Takin on money and find the job Yeah I can't get no money I can't even find the job since I lost my little girl I to the heart had a good future for my way Yeah I had a good teacher Everything was going my way she caught me with another woman That was my worst mistake Go ahead on Yeah I said wait a minute baby Please don't turn me out Oh no don't turn out I said wait a minute baby Please don't turn me out You know I really love you That's what it's all about You can't find a good faith Please don't be like me Now really good Please don't do like me Don't shoot a good woman Don't let out on the street don't let out Don't let out No no let it go Take it down to the show Good to me so much so much so much I don't even know you but I wish that you come here I got something to tell you baby that I think you ought to hear I love the way you look I love the way you look I've gotta get your number in my book because I don't even know you, but I wish that you come here. I've got something to tell you, baby, that I think you ought to hear. I love the way you look. I love the way you look. I've got to get your number in my book because I love the way you look. I know you heard it all before, and you're probably real again. But right now, pretty baby, I wanna be your special friend. I love the way you look. I love the way you look. Gotta get your number in my book because I love the way you look. You got all the right curves and all the right spots. If you were a picture, baby, I just love the connected dot. I love the way you look. I love the way you look. I've got to get your number in my book because I love the way you look. I love the way you look. I love the way you look. I love the way you look. I love the way you look. I've got to get your number in my book because I love the way you look.
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