Fayetteville City Council Recap – March 24, 2025

Published on March 25, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville City Council met March 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting to discuss matters relevant to the city.

The meeting was CALLED TO ORDER at 6:46 p.m. followed by the invocation offered by Dr. Rosa Herman with Harvest Family Church and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Club Scout Webelos Den Pack 747 from St. James Lutheran Church and their leader Tyler Fitzgerald.

During the ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS session, Fayetteville State University's Chancellor Darrell Allison and NC Innovation Regional Hub Director Dr. Alison Beatty introduced FSU's new initiative NC Innovation. Chancellor Allison also provided an update on the land exchange between FSU and the city.

After the presentation, Council member Malik Davis moved to accept the report and authorize the City Attorney's office to work with FSU to draft a Memorandum of Understanding and bring back to City Council for consideration. Council member Lynne Greene seconded the motion. It was approved UNANIMOUSLY (10-0).

There were two more announcements and recognitions made after by Mayor Mitch Colvin and Council.

Council member Courtney Banks-McLaughlin shared that the staff at Partnership for Children were very appreciative of the funding they received from the city that allows them to continue their early childhood educator program.
Mayor Colvin presented the Key to the City and a coin to Police Chief Kemberle Braden in grateful recognition of his devoted interest and untiring commitment while serving the City of Fayetteville for the past 29 years.

City Manager Douglas Hewett introduced Assistant Police Chief Todd Joyce as the Interim Police Chief during the CITY MANAGER'S REPORT.

Council member Banks-McLaughlin moved to APPROVE THE AGENDA, and the motion was seconded by Council member D.J. Haire. It was approved UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).

The CONSENT AGENDA is a group of items that are considered routine whereby all items are passed with a single motion and vote. Members of City Council can remove items from the Consent Agenda for further discussion prior to voting.

Council member Davis moved to approve the consent agenda with the removal of 1307 Coburn Street from Item 7.0A4. This was seconded by Council member Mario Benavente. It was approved UNANIMOUSLY (9-0). The City Council acted on six consent agenda items.

7.0A1 Approval of Meeting Minutes:
- March 3, 2025 - Work Session
- You can read more about this item here.
7.0A2 P25-04. A request to rezone 1321 Camden Road (REID 0436163842000), owned by ANR Investment LLC, from Single-Family Residential 6 (SF-6) to Mixed Residential 5 (MR-5). You can read more about this item here.
7.0A3 SUP25-01 - Order of Approval, Findings of Fact: Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow for the reduction in the separation requirement between Automotive Wrecker Services and any residential district, school, or childcare center, located at 3424 Cumberland Rd (REID # 0426015026000) and being the property, Kodjo Sam Kouassi, Sam’s Towing. You can read more about this item here.
7.0A4 Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
- 5525 Meharry Drive | District 3
- 1661 Baysden Court | District 4
- You can read more about this item here.
7.0A5 Approval of Amendment to the Stormwater Advisory Board (SWAB) Bylaws. You can read more about this item here.
7.0A6 Adoption of a Revision to the FACT Committee By-Laws to Modify Meeting Frequency. You can read more about this item here.

There were two reports from BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS presented to Council during this meeting.

8.01 The Stormwater Advisory Board Chair Whitaker Grannis III presented their Annual Report. Council member Deno Hondros moved to receive the annual report. Council member Greene seconded the motion, and it passed UNANIMOUSLY (9-0). You can learn more about this item here.
8.02 The Joint Fayetteville-Cumberland County Senior Citizen Advisory Commission’s Annual Report was presented by Vann Sherrod II, Joint Fayetteville-Cumberland County Senior Citizen Advisory Commission Chair. Council member Benavente moved to receive the annual report, and this was seconded by Council member Davis. The motion passed UNANIMOUSLY (9-0). You can learn more about this item here.

The City Council held one PUBLIC HEARING during this meeting. This is a critical portion of the Regular Council meeting since for certain issues, the Fayetteville City Council may sit as a quasi-judicial body that has powers resembling those of a court of law or judge. The Council will hold hearings, investigate facts, weigh evidence and draw conclusions which serve as a basis for its decisions.

Residents wishing to provide testimony in response to a notice of public hearing or to participate in the public forum can obtain instructions to submit a statement by emailing cityclerk@fayettevillenc.gov or by calling 910-433-1312 for assistance. Individuals desiring to testify on a quasi-judicial public hearing must contact the City Clerk by 5:00 p.m. the day of the meeting to sign up to testify; instructions will be provided on how to appear before Council to provide testimony. All persons wishing to appear before the Council should be prepared to give sworn testimony on relevant facts.

9.01 Public Hearing and Subsequent Adoption of the Substantial Amendments to the Housing and Urban Development 2022 - 2023 and the 2024 - 2025 Annual Action Plans. Council member Haire moved to approve the Annual Action Plans. This motion was seconded by Council member Benavente. The motion passed UNANIMOUSLY (9-0). You can read more about this item here.

There was one OTHER ITEM OF BUSINESS on the agenda. 10.01 Authorize PSAP (911 Center) Architectural Agreement. Council member Derrick Thompson moved to authorize staff to move forward with applying for FY2026 NC911 Grant utilizing professional services fora stand-alone 911 Call Center. This motion was seconded by Council member Brenda McNair. It passed UNANIMOUSLY (9-0). You can learn more about this item here.

The meeting ADJOURNED at 8:11 p.m.

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