Fayetteville City Council Recap – May 12, 2025

Published on May 14, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville City Council met May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall for the City Council Regular Meeting to discuss matters relevant to the city.

The meeting was CALLED TO ORDER at 6:30 p.m. followed by the invocation offered by Pastor Yvonne Hodges with Solid Rock Bible Church and the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen and the city council members.

There were seven ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS made by Mayor Pro Tem Jensen and the city council.

Council member Courtney Banks-McLaughlin announced the month of May recognizes National Mental Health Awareness month, National Foster Care Month, National Physical Fitness Month, National Military Appreciation Month, Asian and Pacific Islander Month, National Teacher Appreciation Month, National Pet Month, and National BBQ month.
Council member Banks-McLaughlin announced on May 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Economic and Community Development will hold the Annual Standdown.
Council member D.J. Haire announced on May 17, 2025, beginning at 9 a.m. the AsOnePrayer Walk will be held at Festival Park.
Council member Malik Davis announced on May 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. the Grand Reopening of the Old Wilmington Road Neighborhood Resource Center will take place.
Katie Strain, Miss Fayetteville and Mary Michael McLamb, Miss Fayetteville Teen spoke about their platform for the year.
Council member Banks-McLaughlin presented a Certificate of Excellence to Amber Johnson, Toria Council, and Zoey Lattimore for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, which is recognized as the highest award in Girl Scouts.
The city council recognized the Fayetteville Police Department’s Annual Award Recipients: Ms. Tabitha Sportsman, Civilian of the Year Award; Ms. Jamell Love, Tele-Communicator of the Year; and Lieutenant Michael Bohannon, Police Officer of the Year.
Mayor Pro Tem Jensen presented a proclamation to members of the Fayetteville Police Department and Fayetteville Police Foundation Board in honor of National Police Week.
Council member Deno Hondros and Fire Chief Kevin Dove presented a Certificate of Excellence, City Coin, and plaque to Westover Middle School student, James Hysell for his act of heroism and named him an honorary Firefighter.
The United Way of Cumberland County Executive Director, Scott Embry presented the Spirit of North Carolina Award to Jacqueline Abbott, Community Development Specialist for her exceptional leadership on the City’s United Way campaign.
Mayor Pro Tem Jensen presented a proclamation to the Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development Corporation in honor of Economic Development Week.

During City Manager Dr. Douglas Hewett’s REPORT, he thanked the city council for their encouragement and support during his time in school and graduation. He then invited the public to the next Fayetteville Outfront event being held on May 21 at 6:30 p.m.at Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center. The session will cover topics such as stormwater and bond project updates. Dr. Hewett also stated the city manager e-newsletter is published weekly and residents can sign up to receive it on the city’s website.

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

The city council held a PUBLIC FORUM during this meeting. This is a critical portion of the Regular Council meeting as the city council seeks to have a collaborative resident and business engagement base. This opportunity allows for residents to address the council directly on specific issues in an effort to inform them of their opinions on specific topics.

Before the public forum began, Council member Mario Benavente moved to extend the public forum to 75 minutes. This motion was seconded by Council member Hondros and PASSED by a (5-4) vote. Mayor Pro Tem Jensen and Council members Greene, Derrick Thompson, and Banks-McLaughlin voted in opposition.

18 residents addressed the city council expressing their concerns regarding amplified noise ordinance, water quality, child and human trafficking, public safety, the proposed youth curfew, services at Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center, security at festivals, Sentinel Event Review, public and mental health and new intervention methods, the proposed Cape Fear River Trail extension, homelessness, and progress one a resident’s property. One of the 18 residents who spoke shared information regarding Cumberland County Beekeepers Association.

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 Haire moved to approve the consent agenda with the exception of Item 8.0A7 - Ordinance Requiring Towing Operators to Clean Accident Site. Council member Hondros seconded the motion; it PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).

8.0A1 Approval of Meeting Minutes:

April 23, 2025 - Agenda Brief
April 28, 2025 - Discussion of Agenda Items
April 28, 2025 - Regular
You can read more here.

8.0A2 Adoption of Capital Project Ordinance Amendment to Appropriate Payment-In-Lieu-Of Resurfacing Revenue to Street Resurfacing Projects. You can read more here.

8.0A3 Revisions to the Homebuyer HERO Programs. You can read more here.

8.0A4 Adoption of Special Revenue Fund Project Ordinance Amendment and Authorization to Accept Additional Grant Funding for the Conservation Restoration Plan for Cross Creek Cemetery #1. You can read more here.

8.0A5 Resolution Calling for Public Hearing Regarding the Permanent Closing of a Portion of Bullock Street. You can read more here.

8.0A6 Resolution Calling for Public Hearing Regarding the Permanent Closing of a Portion of Arsenal Avenue. You can read more here.

8.0A8 PWC - Bid Recommendation - Two (2) Prefabricated Concrete Relay Control Houses for the Cliffdale and Yadkin Substations. You can read more here.

One item was PULLED FROM CONSENT FOR A SEPARATE VOTE UNDER 8.0B

The police attorney, Joshua Hall presented 8.0B7 - Ordinance Requiring Towing Operators to Clean Accident Site. Council member Haire moved to approve the ordinance requiring towing operators to clean accident sites. It was seconded by Council member Hondros, and the motion PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0). You can read more here.

There were two OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS on the agenda.

9.01: Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Yates presented the Recommended Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Operating Budget and Setting of the Budget Public Hearing. Council member Davis moved to receive the presentation and set the public hearing for May 27. The motion was seconded by Council member Brenda McNair; it PASSED (8-1). Council member Haire voted in opposition. You can read more here.

9.02: Proposed Youth Protection Ordinance. City Attorney Lachelle Pulliam introduced the ordinance to the city council for review. By law, the ordinance cannot be approved on the first hearing. It is scheduled to be voted at the next regular meeting on May 27. Council member Benavente moved to allow City Staff to work with relevant organizations and community organizations before instituting the proposed youth protection ordinance. Council member Hondros seconded the motion. It FAILED (4-5). Mayor Pro Tem Jensen and Council members Davis, Haire, Greene, and Thompson voted in opposition. You can read more here.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS on a Regular Meeting agenda are for City Council review and information only. Should it be the consensus of the collective City Council, Administrative Reports will be moved forward to be placed on the next Work Session agenda for further review and discussion. There was one report regarding the Public Infrastructure GO Bond Project Update. You can read more here.

The meeting was ADJOURNED at 9:37 p.m.

The next City Council Regular Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fayetteville City Hall’s Council Chambers. Meetings also air live on Spectrum Channel 7, at FayTV.net and on the FayTV app available on your streaming device. Meeting agendas, supporting documentation and minutes are publicly available here. For more information about the Fayetteville City Council, please visit fayettevillenc.gov/city-council.

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