City Council - Regular Meeting

[Music] [Music] [Music] Welcome to the September 16, 2025 meeting of the Greensboro City Council. We are in the Katie Dorset Council Chamber. Let the record reflect that all Council members are in attendance. We will begin tonight's meeting with a moment of silence.

Thank you. Mrs. Hoffman, would you lead us in the pledgece to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands? One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. Please silence any and all electronic devices. If you must make or receive a phone call, kindly do so from outside the chamber. The city of Greensboro strongly encourages resident input at our meetings. It is the goal of the city council that the Katie Dorset Council Chamber a welcoming and safe space for all community members. In order to speak at tonight's meeting, individuals must sign up to speak by 6 p.m. If you signed up to speak online, you must let the courier know that you are in attendance. Speakers may address specific consent or business agenda items with up to three minutes allocated for their remarks. zoning matters. There is a 15minute presentation for both the proponents and the opponents of the resoning and a fiveminute rebuttal. The speakers cannot relinquish their time to others and the speaker order is determined by the presiding officer. All speakers are expected to adhere to the rules of decorum. Any inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in an immediate removal from the meeting. Removal will result in a threemon suspension. in person participation. A second violation following the initial suspension will result in a sixmonth suspension. A third violation or any instance involving physical altercations will lead to a 12 month suspension and may also result in criminal charges. Individuals who are suspended will still have an option of participating virtually via Zoom, ensuring their right to free speech. By statute, council members must vote on all items unless there is a direct financial interest or if they serve on a board of a nonprofit receiving funding from the city. All votes will be moved and seconded and the presiding officer

will announce the vote total. We do have a consent agenda for items G1 through G15, which are a grouping of agenda items that are voted on with one single vote to expedite what is believed to be routine and non-controversial. Any council members may withdraw an item from the consent agenda due to a conflict of interest or for the purpose of voting no. Items removed from the consent agenda for discussion will be placed on the next business meeting agenda. Tonight's meeting does include closed captioning. Depending on the length of the meeting, we may take a short recess around 7:30. I do want to take this opportunity just to recognize a group of young women we have in the audience today. Um the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sarority Incorporated. We're so happy that you're here. The Alpha New um Alphi Chapter, I believe I got that right. I did. Good. Ladies, um we're here. We're happy you're here to learn more about the way that government works for you. If you have any questions, we'd love to talk to you after the meeting or at any other time. Thank you so much for being here. Um, [Applause] and I do want to recognize Chancellor Martin. It is so nice to have you back in our chambers. I do think the item you're here for may be getting postponed, but I'll get to that in a moment. But thank you so much. It's great to see you. Um the applicant has requested to continue um H1 through H3. H1 is a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for properties located at portions of 3725 and 3739 and all of 3751 McConnell Road 35.68

acres Mary Bell Tuttle and others. And item H2, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for portions of 3725 and 3739 and all of 3751 McConnell Road, Amanda Hodier for Mary Bell Tuttle, Neil C. Tuttle, and others. And item H3, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for a portion of McConnell Road rightway for the city of Greensboro. This um is to be continued to October 21 city council meeting with no further advertising. Do I have a motion? Moved by

moved by um Mrs. Hoffman. Um no, she was I was sitting right next to her. We haven't used that. So we we have a motion from Mrs. Hoffman seconded by Mayor Prom. All in favor say I.

I. That passes unanimously. Can you hear Mrs. High Tower on her microphone? Well, Hugh, you're gonna have to share your mic. Yes.

All right. Now, um we have another uh we have two more requests to be continued items. H7, H8, and H9. H7 is a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for properties located on McConnell Road and Old School Road in portions of McConnell Road and Clap Farm Road rightway 109.55 acres Esther Nancy and others. And item H6, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for properties on McConnell Road and Old School Road, Amanda Hodier for Esther Herby Revocable Trust and others. And item H9, a public hearing for an ordinance original zoning for portions of McConnell Road and Clap Farms right ofway, city of Greensboro. This will be continued to the October 21st city council meeting without further advertising. Do I have a motion?

Move. Moved by Mrs. High Totower and seconded by Mr. Holston. Um, all in favor say I.

I. That passes unanimously. And we have another continuence which are items H14 through H9. Um H14 is a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for properties located at Banning Road, Centerfold Road, Oakidge Road, and others. 7.63 763 acres. Tom on behalf of David Couch and others. Item H15, a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for the property located at 3220 Pleasant Ridge Road.99 acres. Tom Terrell on behalf of David F. Couch for Somefield Real Estate Holdings LLC. And item H16, a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for the property located 6935 Somefield Road, 4.16 acres, Tom Carol Terrell, on behalf of David Couch. Um, and item H17, a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for properties located at 7650 and 7652 Dau Road, 38.59 acres. Tom Terrell on behalf of David F. in Summerfield Real Estate Holdings LLC. And item H18, a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for properties located on Oakidge Road, Khaki Place, and Deau Road, 106.64 acres Tom Terrell on behalf of David F. Couch for various LLC's. And item H19, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for properties on

Banning Road, Centerfield Road, Meadow View Drive, and others. Tom Terrell, for David F. Couch, and various LLC's. We need a motion moved by Mrs. Hoff, seconded for Mayor Prom. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Um, so now we have Madam Mayor, on H1 through H3, I think you said that was going to be continued since February. You think? I'm sorry. Say that again.

It needs to be continued with advertising. We need to readvertise that. It's been continued since February. Um, that's fine. As long as it gets advertised with So, can we just amend that to not say without further advertising? Can I ask a question? Sure. Why does it keep on agenda?

She was here a second ago. H1 H3 H7 through H9. entities, but they are trying to get some things out. So, that's why it's kind of a complicated deal. I wish I talked to her earlier today about it as well. And so, they're try to get it done in October. Okay. Well, we have to put it back on October because we've just said we would. Um, but at that point, if they can't get things maybe together by the end of October, it might be good for them to just pause the project and bring it back at a later date.

Yeah. No, and I think that is part of what their thought process is. they can't get it by then. Thank you. Um, now we have no ceremonial or presentation items. So, we move forward to the consent agenda, which are items G1 through G15. Um, Madame Mayor, well, wait. Um, yes. Uh, I request that we pull item G14 from the consent agenda for the purpose of me Recusing myself from that agenda item and that was the U budget adjustments. Yes. G14.

G14. And that is to recuse. Madam Mayor, I think they're on. They've been moved. Yes. Yes, we did. Okay. So, um do I have a motion and a second for him?

Okay. Um yes. I just the item G12 I've received some calls about it and I think it would be helpful if um assistant city manager Carol kind of explained the issue surrounding graffiti and what's changing.

Sure. I'd be glad to. So currently graffiti um ordinances sit in both chapter 17 which deals with nuisances and chapter 18 which deals with housing and neighborhood development. It can be a little confusing when we try to enforce. So, what we've done is we've streamlined the process by putting all of the graffiti ordinances under the nuisance section, which is chapter 17. It's enforced by um code enforcement. The other change that we made is now we ask property owners to do to fix graffiti. If they don't, they're fined $50. We are changing that to be more in line with how code enforcement charges for nuisances, which is if they go and correct it, then they uh they actually charge you the cost of remediation plus 10% to cover administrative costs. So, it's a pretty minor But we are um needing to enforce graffiti in a different way.

You know, years ago when that graffiti ordinance first went um into effect, uh one step further was using that as an opportunity um with some of their youth who they were trying to um divert out of the criminal justice system that it was a way of doing community service. I don't know if we could go back to one step further and talk to them about that or what other organizations could also come out and help clean some of this graffiti because it is a shame that it falls on the back of the business owner um when he is the the victim of the graffiti. Um it would be good if maybe we could find ways to help him get that removed.

Sure. We'll look at that. Thank you. So um do I do I have a motion um for the consent agenda minus G14 moved by Dr. Wells seconded by um Mrs. Miss Pender Council please vote Mr. actually wanted to speak on one of those items. No. Okay.

Okay. All right. Now it's up. Okay. I'm starting to feel some kind of way. And that passes 9 to zero. Item G14 which um Mr. Holston is recused from or budget adjustments approved by the budget officer 82625 through 9825 to request to be recused or is it automatic?

It's it's because he's working for a nonprofit. So all he has to say is I'm recusing. I'm recusing myself. So item G14 not when it comes to the nonprofit ordinance.

Um so I have a motion by Mr. Mini seconded by Mrs. Thurm. Council please vote. And that passes 8 to zero. We now move on to our public hearing portion of our agenda. We'll start with H4 through H6. Item H4 is a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for properties located at 5511 Burlington Road and a portion of Burlington Road right ofway 2.85 acres. Margelot Singh AR General Inc. and others. And item H5, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for property at 5511 Burlington Road. I know I've said this name wrong. Armallet Singh of AR General and item H6, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for a portion of Burlington Road right ofway um for the city of Greensboro. Um we speakers on this item. We do have a speaker in favor of this item. Mr. Kirkman, if you would like to give a brief overview.

Yes. And since city council saw this, I will keep it very brief. She saw it last month. Uh basically, again, this is a request to annex property on Burlington Road as well as an additional piece of rightway associated with that. This is across from existing city limits. This is the public distribution center to the south at LI. Um, of interest to the council specifically, the applicant is requesting a change to the conditions that limit additional uses. So, I'm going to read that additional restrictions into the record council to approve. Um, condition number one is being amended to again um take out a number of uses that could be allowed in the CM district. So now it will read per uses shall include all uses in the CN district except bars, nightclubs, group hubs, and any type of drive-thru facilities. All uses in the agricultural, household living, group living, outdoor recreation, overnight accommodations, and vehicle and sale, vehicle sales and services, use groups, animal shelters, cemeteries, passenger terminals, shooting ranges, indoor or outdoor parks and open areas, over said overcomations earlier. Sorry. Commercial parking as a principal use including park and ride facilities, mobile food vendors, both motorized and postcart, funeral homes and crematoriums, taxi dispatch terminals, ABC stores, convenience stores and fuel pumps, flea markets, garden centers, nurseries, pawn shops, sexual oriented businesses, truck stops, self storage facilities, laundry and dry cleaning plants as well as no light industrial uses will be allowed except medical and digital laboratories and printing and publishing services. Do we have a motion

second by Mr. Holston? All in favor say I. I. And I'm happy to answer any additional questions at this point. And the applicant is here. Good evening, mayor and rest of the council members. How are you all doing? I'm standing in for Dr. Sing because he had a family situation where his father passed. So, he's out of the city. So, first of all, I want to say thank you for all of your work all the time.

Could you give us your name for the record? Yeah, this is Dr. James Joseph. Thank you.

You're welcome. I am a friend of Dr. S. I've known for about eight to 10 years now. My my comments are going to be really brief. I just want to bring you up to date. I think there was concern at the last meeting that we had no neighborhood meeting even though we'd sent out letters to everybody and u invited them to make comments. Nobody did until the meeting itself. Mr. way um raised some objections at the last meeting and he was um concerned about what might be in the future and we understood that. Uh we just wish that that um we had that conversation before the actual meeting last time, but we did go ahead and let him set up a neighborhood meeting. Uh we went through with the meeting and he and one other friend came over representing the other neighbors. And again, I think it was Last time when he was speaking, he wasn't that concerned about the shops and the offices. What bothered him was what might happen with commercial medium zoning uh because there's a lot of other options and there's still a few neighbors that live in that area. So, what we did, and we have no objection to this at all, is eliminate everything. That's why there was 24 additional exemptions that you just approved. It just took everything off the table that wasn't related to shops and offices. So that brought everybody was very happy with that. And so I'm here to say it seems like everybody's in good stand. Everybody's happy. So I would like to open up if you have any more questions, but u I think we're in good shape.

Any questions? that was that was holding it up the last time. So, I'm glad that all these conditions were added. Glad that the community and we felt very comfortable. No, I would second that, Dr. Thank you all for doing that. Our pleasure. There were some concerns, but this absolutely looks like this will create a good outcome for what you're trying to do out there. I think it'll be good for the community.

Absolutely. Very important. So, thank you all. This is the type of thing that should always happen is that community engagement in a win for both. Thank you. Thank you. If that's all, do I have a motion to close the public hearing? Moved by Mayor Prom, seconded by Mr. Holston. All in favor say I. I. And that passes unanimously. Is there a motion on the annexation?

Moved by Mayor, seconded by Dr. Wells. Um, council, please vote. That passes 9 to zero. Item H5 will require a statement of consistency. Moved by Dr. Wells, seconded by Mrs. Thurm.

The Greensboro City Council believes that action to approve the original zoning request for the property at 5511 Burlington Road from County AG agriculture to city CD CM conditional district commercial medium to be consistent with the adopted uh GSO 2040 comprehensive plan and considers the action taken to be reasonable and in the public interest for the reasons. The request is consistent with the comprehensive plan future build form and future land use map. The proposed city CD CM zoning district as conditions permits uses permits uses that fit the context of the surrounding area and limits negative impact on adjacent properties. The request is reasonable due to the size, physical conditions, and other attributes of the area. It will benefit the property owner and the surrounding community. And approval is in the public interest. Council, please vote. That passes n to zero. Um, madam mayor,

uh, just very quickly if I could, a question for city manager Davis and also city attorney from that last case and those conditions that we approved. Could that property owner also have offered to approve to uh, uh, remove date shops? Is that This is hypothetical. I'm going to ask zoning administrator Mike speak.

Oh, I'm sorry. M problem. Um, so that is not a defined use in the ordinance. It's actually more broadly follow retail sales which is still allowed under commercial but it's not separately defined in our ordinance. So it couldn't be offered as something prohibited. Perfect. Thank you.

Um, do we have a motion for H6? So moved by Mr. Mayor will require a statement of consistency. The Greensboro City Council believes that it action to approve the original zoning request for the property at a portion of Burlington Road right away from County Agricultural to City Li Industrial to be consistent with the adopted GSO 2040 comprehensive plan and considers the action taken to be reasonable and in the public interest for the following reasons. The request is consistent with the comprehensive plan's future built form map and future land use map. The proposed city zoning district permits uses that fit the context of the surrounding area and limits negative impacts on adjacent properties and the request is reasonable due to the size, physical conditions and other attributes of the area. It will benefit the property owner and surrounding community and approval is in the public interest. Please vote. And that passes. We now move on to items H10 and 11. H10 is a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for the property located at 1143 Pleasant Ridge Road 57.99 acres. Mark Isacson for Pleasant Ridge Plantation LLC. And item H1, public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning and reszoning for properties at 1143 and 1163 Pleasant Ridge Road, Mark Isacson for

Pleasant Ridge Plantation LLC. Um, we do have one speaker signed up in favor, Nick Blackwood. Mr. Kirk.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Again, the request is a combination of an annexation and both original zoning as well as reszoning associated with that. Um again, the property is at this point in the county is county PI public institutional and then the city is combination of PI public institutional R3 residential single family CDL conditional district industrial and to go to the development zoning district. North of this request is currently zoned city R3 as well as county Agricultural. East request is city CDLI and county AG. South request is city CDLI city PI city CDRM residential multif family and county agricultural. West is zoned city CD RM8 and county. The subject property is currently undeveloped at this point in time. North of request are single family dwellings and undeveloped land. East request warehouse uses and commercial vehicle parking. South request is outdoor recreation and religious assembly use. West request is also religious assembly use common elements for a nearby subdivision and undeveloped land. The currently designated as public institutional in the western area plan and as urban general on the future format of the comprehensive plan. There are conditions associated with this request as you see on the screen and were advertised as part of the hearing. Again, this is a plan development. So there's also associated unified development plan that was approved by zoning commission subject to approval of the zoning tonight. In supporting the request, staff again has determined this does support the comprehensive plan goal to arrange land uses for more vibrant and liberal Greensboro and the creating great places goal to expand Greensboro citywide

network of unique neighborhoods offering residents all walks of life a variety of quality housing choices. The PD district as condition accommodates a mix of resial housing types as well as complimentary non-residential uses and does allow uses that are compatible with existing in the surrounding area. This uh these items were heard at the August 18th planning and zoning commission meeting and zoning commission did recommend approval of all items that questions. Any questions for Mr.

Mr. Blackwood? You have up to 15 minutes. Madame Mayor and members of council, my name is Nick Blackwood, 804 Green Valley Road here in Greensboro. I do have some materials to pass out. That's okay.

We'll get somebody to get them. I'll be fairly brief with this presentation. Really just want to highlight some of the points that were contained in the staff report. On that second page in your packet, uh you'll see an excerpt from the zoning map just with our subject property outlined in red. Just wanted to again highlight the existing mix of uses in the area. There's a fair amount of existing light industrial right across the street from us. So, some fairly intense land use is already in place along the stretch of Pleasant Ridge Road. On page three, you'll just see some of those uses referenced, outlined, and identified. So, you've got some existing uh mixed density housing. We've got plantation at Pleasant Ridge, apartment development to the northeast, um a recent uh recently approved true homes, uh single family subdivision to the west. So, a mix of housing types, a mix of densities, and then in purple there, you see all of that light industrial use that was um referenced on that zoning map that you just saw, the proposed UDP. On the next slide, um you'll see that phase three to the north, that's where our single family lots are are intended to to be located. We've got 75 single family lots proposed, 60 town home units in phase 2 and 250 multif family units and up to 28,000 square feet of commercial space

in that phase one to the southeast of the property. And if you'll refer back to your zoning map, you you'll see that um in phase three where the single family is planned currently about 10 acres is zone light industrial and that backs up to existing single family to the north. So we think that this change is best case scenario for those folks who have single family homes in the area. We're replacing that light industrial zoning with single family lots consistent with what they have on their property.

And then just for your reference to give you an idea about how anticipating this project may lay out. We have an illustrative sketch plan on page five. Again, you'll see the multif family office and commercial at the southeastern portion of the property closest to um that big chunk of light industrial zoning across the street, town homes to the southwest, and then those single family lots to the north. We did send out a notice letter and we held up a community meeting. We had between five and 10 folks attend that meeting. I think the the general message that we received from those folks was that they understood growth was coming. They referenced the the recent airport announcements uh some of the other projects in the area that are already um you know being developed or have been developed. So this did not come as a surprise uh to anyone on that call and I think everyone was generally supported. So happy to answer any questions.

Any questions?

Yes. So so 250 multif family units proposed uh town homes and 75 single family lots. And when you when you if you just look at the residential density across the total acreage, it comes out to about five units an acre for residential development. Any um other questions? Do I have a motion to close the public hearing? Moved by Mrs. Thurm, seconded by Mayor for Cham. All in favor say I. I opposed. That passed unanimously. Um, council discussion or do I have a motion on the annexation which is H10?

Second moved um by Mrs. Smed by Mr. Holston. Council, please vote. And that passes 9 to zero. Item H11 requires a statement of consistency. Second.

Moved by Mrs. Thurm, seconded by Mayor Prom. The Greensboro City Council believes that its action to approve the original zoning request for the properties at 11:43 and 1163 Pleasant Ridge Road from County PI, City PI, City R3, and City Li to city PUBG with the adopted GSO 2040 comprehensive plan and considers the action taken to be reasonable and in the public interest for the following reasons. The request is consistent with the comprehensive plan future belt form map and future land use map. The proposed city PUB zoning district as condition permits uses that fit the context of the surrounding area and limits negative impacts on adjacent properties. The request is reasonable due to the size, physical conditions, and other attributes of the area. It will benefit the property owner and surrounding community and approval is in the public interest. Council, please vote. And that passes 9 to zero. We'll take items 10, H12, and H13 together. Item H12 is a public hearing for an ordinance annexing territory into the corporate limits for the property located at 4265 Hamburg Mill Road. 1.52 acres Tom Terrell on behalf of David F. Couch for CF4265 Hamburg Mill Road LLC. And item H13, a public hearing for an ordinance for original zoning for property located at 4565 Hamburg Mill Road. Tom Terrell on

behalf of David F. Couch of CF4265 Hamburg Road LLC. Mr. Kirkman.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor Vaughn. Again, the request is to annex the property into the city's jurisdiction and establish original zoning from county RS40 residential single family to city CD RM5 conditional district residential multif family. North, east, and south of this request are currently zfield RS residential and west is in Somerfield AG agricultural. The subject property currently contains a single family dwelling. North, east, south, and west or west are also single family dwellings. The property does not currently have a designation in the future land use map of comprehensive plan as it was not eligible to be annexed by the city when the conference plan was adopted. However, uh residential designation as you can see on the map is the closest similar designation under future land use map. Similarly, on the feature build format, the urban general designation is the most consistent and closest to this property. This is a conditional application and this is the condition that was offered by the applicant. Staff has concluded that this request does support the comprehensive plans creating great places goal to have a citywide network of unique neighborhoods offering residents of all walks of life a variety of quality housing choices and to fill in our framework. Big idea to arrange our land uses where we live, work, attend school, shop, and enjoy our to create a more vibrant and liveable Greensboro. The proposed CDRM5 district does permit uses that are compatible with existing uses in the surrounding area. And again, staff is recommending approval of the request. The planning and zoning commission heard these requests at the August 18th meeting and unanimously recommended approval of both the station and original request. Council this evening questions.

Any questions for Mr. Kirk? I see Mr. Terrell in the road in the room. I assume you're here. questions.

Okay. Um then um do we have a motion on H12 moved by Mr. Mini, seconded by Mr. Holston? Council, please vote. That passes 9 to zero. Um item H13 requires a um statement of consistency by Mrs. Thurm. Seconded by Mayor Pro. The Greensboro City Council believes that its action to approve the original zoning request for the property at 4265 Hamburg Mill Road from County RS40 to city CDRM5 to be consistent with the adopted GSO 2040 comprehensive plan and considers the action taken to be reasonable and in the public interest for the following reasons. The request is consistent with the comprehensive plan future built for map and future land use map. The City CD RM5 zoning district as condition permits uses that fit the context of the surrounding area and limits negative impacts on adjacent properties. The request is reasonable due to the size, physical conditions and other attributes of the area. It will benefit the property owner and surrounding community and approval is in the approval is in the public interest.

Council, please vote. And that pass. All right. So now we move on to the general business portion of our agenda. Um item I1 is a resolution to authorize sale of land at 2701 a North Henry Boulevard to DHIC Inc. for $350,000 for affordable housing development. Nobody's moved this yet.

Cynthia, sorry. Go ahead. Ignore us. They know we're gonna have questions, sir. I will try to answer them. Thank you very much. My name is Cynthia Blue, assistant director for housing neighborhood development here. to talk to you about the sale of 2701A north of Henry Boulevard to DHIC. We are thrilled with the selection of developer and with the um the proposal that they have brought forward to us for affordable housing development on this site. We know it's been a long time coming.

So just very briefly on the timeline of the acquisition of the former agency in Motel. three years we used it for emergency housing, two years for winter housing, one season for summer housing. The pellet shelters are still out there and they will remain there until about I think it's um the beginning of November when they will move off the site. So we won't be doing any type of transfer until that occurs. There was also a um an underground storage tank discovered during the phase one process and the city will remove that tank before selling the land to the developer so that it goes to them in developable condition. We carried out a development request for proposals and the RFP committee recommended DHIC wholeheartedly. We did go through a resoning process. Um and tonight's action is the recommendation to city council. We had extensive communication during the resoning process. A press release went out on July 11th. We hit I think just about all of the major media networks including the Rhino Times. Um and neighborhood meeting on July 29th. very good feedback. People were really thrilled to see that something positive was going to come there. They really felt that um that this would be a benefit to their neighborhood and that people from the neighborhood could actually live there as well. We also went to the Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro on August 7th and also had a good meeting there where people were very um very optimistic about the direction that the site was heading. So that was all good news and we have been keeping in touch with everyone who has been in touch with us who wants updates on the process to let them know where we are and what's coming next. So the uh city initiated resoning was approved on August 18th. to CDR26 with the condition that it shall not exceed 130 units. And what the anticipated use looks like is a two-phase development, 114 total units,

54 age restricted senior units. And they would be in the larger building on the um the lower right hand corner and that corner is where 16th Street and the Highway US 29 sort of come together there. So that would be a large enclosed interior hallway secure building for the seniors. Um, of those 54 units, 32 of those would be at 60% of area median income, eight at 50%, 14 at 30% of area median income, and a total development um cost of about 14.6 million that that phase of the project. The second phase of the project would be family units. 36 at 60% of our median income, 9 at 50%, and 15 % and that phase of the development would be about 14.9 million. So we're looking at about $30 million um return to the city on investment in development in an area that that um welcomes it. Um the developer is planning to use low-inccome housing tax credit for both both phases of the project and they are here tonight for any questions that I may not be able to answer. Any questions? Sharon, you want to get first?

Okay. She said, "This has been a long time coming. We've talked about this project over and over. We've seen it used for we had an initial that didn't work and we used it for the shelters and pallet homes and um the community all of us over in Northeast Greenboro are excited about the prospect of having this this new housing development and it it satisfies the need that we have in the community. So, I know that we've had some opposition or some questions about it, but this is what we need. And so, I'm glad that it's at this point where we can make a final decision about getting the property.

And before we move on to other council comments, um, you did have some speakers signed up. I'm not sure they're all here. Jason Hicks, George Hartzman, and Kayla is the developers representative. Okay. So, she's here for questions. Thank you. Um, Zack,

thank you, Madam Mayor. And I hear you, Goldie. You know, it does the project satisfies some needs. Obviously, I've had significant issues with this project throughout. One of them is procedure, one of them is communication. Um, to my knowledge, unless I'm wrong, we haven't been updated on the regency since July 8th. Is that fair? Manager blue. I'd have to go back and check. I've scrubbed my emails.

Um, and so the only thing I can go back to is there's not much documentation. that email that I have here just that a little bit timeline of that we're talking to DHIC and it's the interesting there's so many interesting things about this one of them being we talk about housing all the time you know you have a road to 10,000 yet we seem to not want to follow procedure or keep council a breast of how we're achieving that road to 1000 And in this case, some concerns have pop up. So, it's not really opposition as much as it is.

How are we doing this? Um, no, Mr. City Manager, is Nasha on Zoom? I think so. She should be. Yeah, she is. So, you have questions. That's cool. Either Miss Blue, Nasha, I'm fine either way. Whoever's theal amount the city has invested in the site.

The purchase and initial up for use of the property as winter shelter totaled about $3 million. Outside of that costs would have been related to the operational costs of operating it as a shelter and operating it with the pallet shelters on site. I don't have that number tonight. The removal of the uh the tank the deviation the also when we repurchased the property I want to say we repurchased it for approximately $210,000 and so that would be in that number as well so we're really looking at probably $3 and a half million outside of operation

is that a fair number

so one of the things and Mr. managers heard me ask this question about other properties is we haven't really we haven't been updated as far as I can tell since July 8th which was via memorandum. There's no indication of potential sale price. We were never talked about and educated from a council perspective as to what is going on on arguably one of the most asy Dr. put contentious sites we have in the city of Greensboro, it just flies through without without education. And so my question is if if the city has three and a half million dollars in this site, tax value is one close to 1.5 million 1.487 million. How is it fair and reasonable that we this property at a 90% discount because that's what the resolution says.

We're selling it at a 90% discount. Tell me how that's fair and reasonable.

That is affordable housing generally can't be built without some form of subsidy. when we underwrote this project looking at what the project could afford to pay for the land since the city was not providing any other source of subsidy that is where the numbers worked. In any other case, when we're talking about a number as large as $3 million, it seems like we need to be educated and informed of such an expenditure or incentive as we are in economic development. We have closed sessions. We have small work sessions. We are educated. I know if I had to go back, which I wouldn't want to and figure out how many times we've asked for a housing discussion to be educated on this. So, it's not as much opposition to what is needed in the community. It's why are we getting in our own way? So, a 90% discount is not fair and reasonable to me. Is this the be highest and best land use? And I'd argue that there is enough property on this site and maybe we were once again overpromised and not delivered on the potential for more housing on this site. And so I question the city, is this the highest and best use of this site? Now it could be argued the best use, but is it the highest and best use? Are we truly serving as many people as we can. Question, and I don't know who can answer this, and I'm not picking on you,

Miss Blue. Um, when is the property due to close? We will not be able to close until the pallet shelters move off of the site and the city remediates the tank that's there. Okay. So, what is the estimated timeline? It won't be take long. It should not take long. uh to remove the tank. Um so what is the estimated close date for this property? Most likely December of this year.

Okay. December of this year. Since it is a city land sale disposition, would it be advertised and is there a potential for an upset bid? This was a sale to a nonprof is land sales to a nonprofit which can be done under a negotiated sale so council can determine to make the sale and then those conditions are advertised.

Wouldn't that be nice to know prior to being sitting here on the das because I understand being able to sell to an adjacent property owner but I've never heard being able to sell to a nonprofit at such a deep discount and it closed. Okay, hypothetically, which I would not be surprised if you didn't close in December. We close on this property in December. And ma'am, nothing against your organization. This is procedurally my frustration. We closed on this property. What is the development based on? LITC. you have to go get funding to develop this. Why would the city sell such valuable property when we don't know if the project will actually receive the latte funding? Question. Did we have an organization recently that we put forth for Latte that was not approved? was one not approved.

So, one was not approved. We typically in Guilford County would be eligible to receive two new construction awards and potentially a third if it was a rehab. So, two of the three were likely to move forward. So, is it fair to say that Latte funding is not guaranteed? 9% credits are not guaranteed. Okay. Why would we sell property when it is not guaranteed the project will move forward. We typically use a sales development agreement which lays out the conditions under which the city would be able to recapture if the developer does not perform on the conditions.

You said typically

I've seen many cases and I'm thinking of one in downtown where we did not have the proverbial teeth in the contract in which to take back So you said typically in this contract with this developer, do we have teeth in the contract should they not receive their li funding that would have to be written into the contract? Can you assure us that it will be written into the contract and to the developer if you'd like to join us do you accept that? I mean if we're going to talk about this instead of sessions and instead of having small group sessions, I hate we got to do it publicly, but we got to do it. Do you accept?

I don't Well, before you answer, I I think that will be part of we can go back to as we discuss this agreement. I don't want you to have to answer that, but we can take your recommendation back as we talk through the rest of this this agreement. Which leads me to my question of how and by whom are these deals negotiated? You ever heard me ask that question before? How am I home?

So, I think what you you just watched the presentation from Miss Blue. This is an affordable housing deal that, you know, we work through to to bring housing to what, you know, we all know was a blighted area and very underutilized. So, I mean, if there's some specific questions as it relates to how navigate it through it. I can get those to you or Miss McCrae can follow up with you. Is she gonna talk?

The process that we went through for the disposition of this site was a request for proposals process. So each developer proposed their best performance project and that is what the committee took into account when they reviewed them. Thank you Miss Blue. I I would tell you, you know, in the spirit of transparency, you're going to file for LITC in January, correct?

Yes. Assuming we have site control, we intend to submit a preliminary application in January. Okay. Um, so that's a tight timeline. just for the edification of this council. If we don't get that if we don't get the tank out and it's clean and if we don't discover any more soils, then that could create further issue which we might not be able to close in January. Well, in order for us to submit an application, we would have to have an option to purchase. So theoretically, I suppose that work on a time frame.

Um, have you ever had a project get turned down by Latte? Yes, we've had 9% projects get turned down. I think it might be helpful though to give a little bit of background on DHIC and our experience doing live tech projects in North Carolina. That's okay. Council, so DHIC has is a nonprofit affordable housing developer headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. We have approximately 54 high-tech developments in our portfolio and about 3,800 units in nine different counties across the state. We been in the LIC business since our first property was put in service in 1989. Our board is made of 15 volunteer members and we are fully committed to affordability and by that as by example we have never sold a single property that we have ever developed and we are in the process right now of reinvesting $34 million in seven properties that we own in Wake County.

I appreciate that. I do have your right

and to respond I think to some of your concerns previously it would be disingenuous of me to say that we would always be successful in a 9% application but again the work that we put into this so far leads us to believe that we would be successful and also in response to your comment before about whether or not is the highest and best use we looked at multiple possible uses for the site including the possibility tax credits knowing that those are currently not competitive. And what we determined from that analysis was not only would we not get the um a clear amount of additional density, but there would be a requirement of $10 million in subsidy necessary to make the numbers. And so when we saw that, we realized that a better option despite the fact that it is more competitive would be to split this up into two 9% transactions. That would enable us to without needing seven figures worth of subsidy.

Is this your I can't remember. Is this your first project in Greensboro? It is. But you've looked at others. Sorry. You've looked at others. Yes. Yeah. And notice none of my questions had anything to do with the organization or the ability to deliver. There were procedural questions about timeline. Do we have an agreement? How are they negotiated? a significant discount and investment in this. We This has been a controversial I don't know how much you know uh site and I don't want our folks because if you get if you apply in January you may or may not receive uh word that you got until August or September correct that's correct of 2026.

Yes. So in theory when would you actually have a head in bed on that site? December of 28 would be the last project in service if we receive a 26 allocation for the first

right so at minimum and construction projects always go smoothly don't so at minimum you're looking at three years and I just think we have overpromised so many things and not delivered that folks need to know that there's not going to be a head in bed and I would appreciate it I guess I'm talking to you Mr. manager, madam attorney, that if we know that there's going to be zero construction on this site, could we also include in the contract a land lease so that we can house folks temporarily in the pallet shelters during the summer because people die in the heat just as they do in the cold. And so if we know there's no chance for construction to happen on this site, it would be thoughtful of us to be able to maximize as much housing as possible in a partnership and if we've got $3 million plus going into this project which no offense support um but I'm very transparent um they then maybe we could include that to make sure there

that's something we can take back this has nothing to do with your organization it's got everything to do with we have got to communicate and council better communicate about housing better. Mr. Manager, there's not anybody up here that doesn't support the road to 10,000 since it's so important. We need to have better communication. That's it. I think every time

can I quick question the total your total investment is going to be how much did you mention? One is almost 15 million and the other one is both about so it's total of about 30 million so our investment is that and that is basically three and a half million high tower next I have informed that Mr. is on Zoom. Would you mind if we took him first? No. Good evening. Sorry, things kind of got out of order, but um nonetheless, I appreciate the opportunity to speak. Um a little str I'm struggling a little bit tonight because it's it's odd. for me to find myself agreeing with Zach uh especially since he's currently under SBI investigation. But you know, even a a broken clock is right twice a day. And on this issue, I think he's right. Um it seems like we we're really what this isn't just about um the property, but it's about this concentration of latte housing in uh East Greensburg. Um and this council continues to perpetuate poverty in East Greensboro by you know concentrating affordable housing there instead of spreading that across the entire city. Um but just you know even beyond that policy problem uh I would also be opposed to the specific property sale. You know the city has already invested as we as you all just discussed millions of taxpayer dollars into this

site and to now turn around and sell it for $350,000 is not just a uh not just a financial loss. of service um to the very residents who have funded that investment and who you say you want to help. Um you know, we need affordable housing, but we also need market rate housing in Greensville. Um but we need it all built in the right way and in the right places and continuing to cluster this lens while giving away valuable land at a steep discount is not the way to 10,000 is not the way forward. So, I'd urge you to all take a step back and reconsider this sale. Um, and also consider as you're on this road to 10,000 um that that you be a responsible steward of taxpayer resources. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Thank you. Um I I hear the concerns um that everybody's expressing tonight. Let me ask you a question. I thought at one point we were going to do some market rate. Have we considered that as well? I know the techiece and the market.

Can you hear me? There was one of the applications I think in the RFP may have included some town home development, but that was not the Okay. So, is there potential for that? And I'll ask the current proposal that we have is solely for affordable and the reason for that is for us to be able to maximize the availability of equity for the project and maintain affordability on the site for the folks who be serving in the community. As of right now, no.

And so within this context, Sandy, um there is supportive housing as well because we talk a lot about supportive housing, but we're not getting it done. And so we still got people on the street, back in the woods that need that. They need somewhere with a roof over their head, quality product. Someone who can walk in the door, have a brand new refrigerator, stove, toilet, and bathtub that they can now call their own and able to make those rents based on the income that they bring in. So whe this provides that opportunity. I hear the argument about concentration and the saturation of poverty, but we have to look at the land that we have available to us. And I think that personally speaking, this gives us an opportunity because this property is just a few miles from Fort 600 houses out there of market rate houses. driving I think the investment in that area as well. And so that person going in these units could be the next res. And that's what we want to do is put people on that trajectory um from being around to being a home as well. You don't have to just because you're here today doesn't mean you have to stay there today, you know. And yes, there going to be some people that they don't want. You know, no matter what that disabled person that you'll have a unit for as well, that single mom with two kids, she

needs to get into school. You're going to have to um I understand the concern. I've been to Durham and I saw your um property down in Durham and it was very done. It was done very well. Quality um it was designed very well. Um had a very nice atmosphere to it. Um, when you went in it, um, I think you were going to do an addition for seniors, veterans was something was being proposed as well. That's another population that we need to serve as well. Um, we talk a lot about people on the street and a lot of people need somewhere to go. Um, I hear the argument. I've made the argument um, about the saturation, but You have to look at it through a full lens and say, "Are we not our brother's keep to also find a way to help?" I was going to ask you about the 4% tax credit. I'm glad you explained that as well. Um, so that minimizes our investment in this property. Um, as well, I would like to kind of for us to think about some market rate options there. Um, so that we're creating a mixeduse environment. people see um other people elevating themselves and then that makes them want to do the very same thing. Um but I think we went through a process. Um I looked at all five proposals. Um and quite frankly we offered the best and I think we deserve the best um when we're trying to serve this community and this population. Um and so I am going to support it tonight. Um because we keep kicking the can down the road,

but we say we want to help house people and we get groups that come here that talk about being unhoused. How do we do that? How do we get those people out of those apartments over at Cottage Gardens? How do we make people living in and plumbing, putting them in safe spaces. So, I I hear the argument. I made it myself. We got to find solutions. Doesn't mean we can't get a grocery store over there. Absolutely. But people want to live somewhere they can be on the bus line and this office. I just wanted to share that.

Yes. Yes.

So, in response to your question about supportive, first I just have to say I think you describe the HIC's mission better than I ever could have. If you'll note, our mission talks about providing housing, but also helping the people that we serve, our residents, access opportunity. And a big part of that, that first step is ensuring that they are stably housed in a place where they are proud to bring their family members and that they feel safe. And you'll note in presentation that we had multiple levels of income in this project. We had 30, 50, and income environment and also even though the project is not specifically supportive housing we recognize that there is significant crossover between those folks who are earning 30% median income and supportive housing population that those projects seek to serve which is why DHI has its own resks who are housed in our tech properties continue to be stably housed and have access to opportunities in things like health and wellness or wealth generation and so that they ultimately ideally like you mentioned housing across the spectrum that they're not necessarily staying in our tech properties but that they perhaps can take advantage of the budgeting workshops other financial counseling first time home buyer assistance that our organization provides. And so again, they have the autonomy and the choice to decide what is best for them from a place of safety and um thank you for that. Um and I had I

think I had one other question um that I wanted to ask you about. Um but and I do know L tech is a dirty word. It has become a dirty word um to the city. There are residents who absolutely um you know they they absolutely they really do. Um I think the return on investment is greater sometimes than what we see and if it helps a developer help individuals that need it. Um I think we sometime have to look at that as well. Um I heard you say something earlier about that you own you have 34 properties and you own I think

we have a portfolio of 54 properties in nine counties across the state. Okay. And you still retain ownership because I think that's a concern too that often times when expires then they go to the highest bidder but they don't take care of

Yes. and we have never sold a single property that we would be something that would f I don't know if it's legal to fold into an agreement of youain ownership because maintenance and property management all those things are a concern to residents that live in and around other properties we have some great looking ones but there are some that don't might do something about those 15 years it's necessary for us to stay in the ownership structure and I can also say that we have never sold the future of the organiz I do think it's a pretty significant track record in 51 years to sold anything and to be continuing to reinvest properties. So your maintenance you continue I mean it's brand new

should need maintenance for absolutely 20 years I know that sounds extreme to say

no no absolutely and then we look at you know we have properties in our portfolio in adding that it is necessary to reinvest in these properties over time in those situations We've had including our current portfolio, a new land use agreement is put on the property for another 30 years. We are very much aware that the advantage of getting these equity investments allows us to keep the rent low and we're comfortable with the longterm commitments. Thanks. I'll be very brief. Um, you know, tax value is one way of valuing a piece of property. It's not the only way. And doesn't mean that you can property at its tax. So, um you know, we may have acquired couple of pieces of property in the past that we think we might have overpaid for them because of the condition of the property and the location, but um you know, you're you're making a $30 million investment in our community in area of the city where where we need this done. And so our contribution to that essentially is about 12%. If we're if we are valuing our cost of our property at three and a half million

investing 30 um you know I I'm fine with making that investment on the part of the citizens of Greensboro and I I will say that you know I for one don'tider word. I sit on the local government commission and monthly we approve tech programs in cities throughout the state and we also uh approve the funding that that city that the count that the state is required to to fund these projects. So um from everything that I know and heard about I'm happy that you've chosen to work very

Well, I heard Mr. formed. I think that we did have small groups that were held in June and then we had a housing GSO update. We had the annual auction plan and we talked about and we talked about that one of those. So, uh we did um discuss it and I think we um on July 8th they had a memo about it update and then in July 25th the message was sent to council. So I think that council was informed this has been a project we've been talking about. Remember it has morphed into where it is now. When we started it was permanent supportive housing and things didn't work out. Now it's a combination. There'll be some units that provide supportive services some people and then the others will be family units and as Pender said 54 seniors and 60 family units and there will be fully accessible units as well individual indiv for individuals with disabilities. So I think that we um need to look at what's best for our citizens. It may take some time and I know a comment about it being concerned about that issue if it is nice housing. This is not just anything. This is good housing. This meets the needs of our citizens and that's what

Well, it looks like maybe we may have lost some money, but sometimes it just takes some time. As M said, we've we've made some investments, but we do it for the citizens. So, we've been on this a long time and it's time now for us to make this decision. And of course, I'm So that's still Oh. Oh, you all have.

Oh, there's one other thing I wanted to say. We've been throwing around this term. That's an acronym for low income housing tax credit. It's a TC and we've been throwing that around but the acronym is really for low income housing tax.

Mr. Holston,

thank you Madam Mayor. I agree with some of the comments I've heard this evening regarding the fact that there are going to be times when we need to make an additional investment in properties because of the overall need and also because of maybe where that need is located. Uh we know that in our northeast, our east, our south communities, those have been somewhat underserved and are going to need some additional investment to be as strong as they possibly can be so that we as a city are as strong as we can possibly be. At the same time, I also believe that when it comes to these these developments that there should be some kind of mixed use preferably market rate mixed in uh especially in those communities northeast, east and southeast that that have not been thriving in the past and to give them the opportunity with market rate components to also join in the thriving. um in this case on this item whereas I ordinarily would not support it. I believe that the addition of the senior housing, the addition of the permanent supportive housing, things that are additional amenities that our community needs, especially in the communities that we're speaking of. I said northeast, east, and southeast. Uh not a lot of senior housing. Folks who want senior housing have to change locations and this opportunity, this project allows them to stay in place, so to speak, stay in those communities that they've grown up in, stay in those communities that they have friends and family.

So, as it's important for the future for our city, it's important for the future of Northeast, East, and Southeast Greenboro to have uh that mixeduse component. In this case, I will be supporting this agenda item, but with my heart also saying that as we look at future endeavors, let's let's please consider those market rate components so that all of our communities can celebrate, enjoy the bounty of the future. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I was just going to add the comment very similar to what um Mr. Holston just said that several of us were at a meeting last night and the concept of engaging in your home neighborhood and being able to stay near your home church and near your home the areas that you know are critical for our seniors. Um it's what people are crying out for. Um people want a quality for their parent to be near them, near the grandchildren, near the family so we don't ostracize our seniors. Um, you know, I have a very dear friend who currently is looking for lowincome housing for a disabled brother. It's impossible to find in Greensboro. You can't even get on a waiting list in Greensboro. We've talked part of what we've talked about with the road to the 10,000 is where we need to invest in we as a city need to invest in the missing housing

that we have and there pockets of Greensboro and there pockets of our community that there just are no options and that's going to take investment. We you know if a company could come in money at it, then these people couldn't afford it. If they came in and spent three and a half million dollars on to purchase this property, that then raises the rent to such a point that these people couldn't afford to live in. Um, this is part of the give and take that we're going to face as we look at filling in the housing that we need. Sometimes we're going to have to invest money in. We invest money property in our community because there's a certain requirement that the city participates in. Um this is this property just so happens that we've already made that investment in prior years and we don't have to allocate that budget right now. So that's actually a bigger for us. Um, for all of these reasons and more, I'll be supporting the project. I believe most everything has been said, but I do want to say that, you know, um having all price points of units is great, market rate, all of those things, but sometimes you have communities that have a special need. And this is one of those communities where um in the area where this is going to be built. Um very much it brings me back to the the great celebrations we've had. Although there may not be medical and things but they would be close to you know we've had celebrations about the mount Zion project with the church and everything

where kind of services are very close by or with the end. So knowing that the places are very close by that people will need is certainly something that I am very uh glad to see in this proposal. Um about LITC I did want to say that you know it's the program. It's a solution to creating and preserving the supply of affordable rental housing for low and very lowincome households. Now, our goal of course is to bring people out of lowincome households, but there are certain people I mean uh what Tammy just mentioned is a perfect example. We still have the need and in having that need something like this is perfect. H have we perhaps spent way too much money on certain things? We do that all the time. And I I hate to put it that way. I don't mean that it's acceptable. It's not. But, you know, in seeing where we've been with this project and things kind of backfired and to see where we are today with the possibility of this is going to be a success. That's where I am. I understand. I don't want to waste one penny of any taxpayers money. But, you know, sometimes things kind of happen and hit us in the face. We've all been there. And um, you know, I I want to make sure that this moves forward, that it's not delayed again. And I see that that a lot of good things can come out of this. So, this is one reason I am certainly supporting this project. Thank you.

We do have a motion from Dr. Wells and from Vote. And that passes H1. Um, now we move on to item I2, which is a resolution to authorize sale of land located at 101004-1028 John Deere Drive to Prosperity Alliance for 270,000 and designation of home funds for home buyer assistance. Um, we do have one speaker on this item, Marcus Corn. have three minutes.

Marcus is the developer representative. So, does that mean he's here for questions or would he like I can I can do the presentation first. Have any questions for Mr. Corny? He can help with questions. Um, would you like to give us a brief overview?

Okay. So timeline of this project um the city did acquire this property in through deep foreclosure. We carried out um I think possibly three rounds of development requests for proposals before the RFP review committee recommended Prosperity Alliance and the True Homes team for a single family development. Um they have been through the sketch plan process with TRC. So tonight's recommendation to city council. We will be demolishing the existing buildings prior to sale and we already have that um estimate in hand at $65,000 and that is ready to go. The anticipated use is four one story and 11 twotory single family units. 11 of those units will be targeted to those at 80% the very median income and four units targeted to 60% median income. The onetory units will sell for about $260,000. the twotory for about $244,000 and the True Home Foundation will be providing $21,000 in cost subsidy for all of those units. That will be a discount off of those sales prices. Um there is additional down payment assistance money available from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and from First National Bank. So we will be stacking the different um down payment sources the amount listed for city assistance is the maximum that would be needed. If NCHFA funding is involved, then it could be significantly less than that. It all depends on when the projects reach sale and whether NCFA still has money available at that point in the year. Any questions or do we have a motion? and I'll second it by the way.

Okay. I do have a question. Um, back to the financing piece. Go back to that. You said, okay. Okay. TR is going to kick in 21 and then national and HFA and where are we? Would we even be a part of that equation? We might not have to be if they come in. If they come through, but if they don't come through, then we and we're up to 20 now as well. 25

25. Okay. Great. Um I I just want to say if I can have a few words before Dr. You want to say something? I just I do.

But tonight you've seen different um types of housing in East Greenville. So, while I don't represent either one, this is East Greenboro. Um and this is what we need in East Greenville. Um, we just saw a proposed LIC project, but now we have housing and housing in an area that is seen a lot of housing coming up as of late, but on a property that is set for how long, Cindy, did you say? It is set for years. driven by it for years and what pushed and pushed to get John De and a hopeful space and creating home ownership. This is attainable housing. We talk a lot about this is attainable housing that is being done for sale in that's been unveen project homestead houses over there and those houses are still standing today. And so this will be comparative to that um to enhance the community that deserves it. Um and it's long overdue. twotory homes, the one story house, this will accommodate families as well. Um, the single mom, it will help her. So, she might be in that apartment for a little while, but she'll get herself on good ground, good stable

footing, get a good job, be able to create generational wealth. That's what this will do. And I think that this I'm supporting it 100%. Dr. you know, we've been going through this and we vetted this um vetted the developer. We put you through a little changes, didn't we? But

but it's okay. We're getting a great product and that's what we deserve quality product that we'll appreciate in value and we'll appreciate the area as well. You know, bringing up values in our community. So, I'm excited to start seeing properties be torn down. We will make believers out of many people who thought we couldn't get it done, but we have gotten it done and we got a great partner here uh two homes and prosperity. Um, you do good work and uh I'm excited to see us move forward in this area of East Greenboro and we have other properties redevelopment blocks and that we certainly and you and let me just say this, you're partnering with True Homes, but True Homes has been building over Willow Oaks. They're already building over there uh in East Greenboro. They've already got great product. You can ride through road right now and see the development that has been done over there. Um I think the last house that was built is on English um right there. So we know your reputation. So we are getting what we deserve better quality and we're going to get better and better at this. So thank you for investing in this and going through these steps. I appreciate it. I just want to say uh thank you to Sharon because she is the one who really brought John Deere to our attention and our attention and our attention. Um and we appreciate that. We know that you were invested in this property and uh that you took ownership of it and I appreciate that because I think we have

a much better product than what was originally thought. Um it has really come a long way. I'm excited to the way that that these will turn out in a short period of time. But um do want to recognize Mrs. High Tower for the strong leadership that she has shown pushing this project forward. Well, we do have a motion I was thanks to High of these district. She has taken with me. She talks about it more than I do, but it's all about the upgrading of district 2. When I rode through McConnell Road this week and looked at all of the houses that are going uh up and have gone up and been built in Willow Oaks, I called her and I said, "You really been working hard because I hadn't been down that street in a while and those houses are there and I'm so glad that this is going to be a bright spot uh where Denver is. has just been there just for years and I've been on the council a long time and it was one of the first things people talked about and we tried and everything just didn't work out. But, you know, I believe in seasons and and timing and so this is the right time and I'm just glad that we're going to get it fast. But thanks for all your push and talk. So, we do have Q, did you want to say something? All right. So, we do have a motion by Dr. Wells and a seconded by Mrs. High Totower. Council, please vote.

And that passes 9 to zero. Thank you. Yeah,

I can share that. And I know the vote is over. I thank you. Um Marcus Cornne with Prosperity Alliance. We're minority developer based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. And we operate under the conviction and belief that home ownership is the fastest pace, fastest path, excuse me, to generational wealth and American dream. So, we're really thrilled to partner with the city to bring 15 generational wealth creation opportunities to East Greensboro. Very excited. I will get you photos and anyone else photos of um the model homes we're looking to build in collaboration with True Homes and we look forward to continuing this partnership with the city. So, thank you.

Thank you. We now move on to item I3 which is a resolution approving bid in the amount of 656,000 65600,000 and authorizing execution of contract 2025-02000 with Envision Company Inc. for the CVB hockey office restroom renovation project moved by Mr. seconded by Dr. Wells. All in favor? Well, everybody vote. Everybody vote.

Mike anymore. Well, you know, this might be a thing.

That passes Sharon, what was your question? I I was going to ask how did they arrive at their numbers uh from the OBO office? Um because I don't see that and my question is have we stopped setting goals on on these contracts.

I don't see a goal. Note, Council Member Hotar, initially uh the early estimates, obviously optimistic estimates were this project was going to come in below our typical goal threshold. So goals were not initially set, but you do have in your package, you do have a memo from OVO, which gives the M andW outcomes. So you do see the amounts that are going to go for minority women business. They just weren't goal based, but we still wanted to report about % M and about 13% W,

right? And so the total was 17% and I saw that and I read all that as you know I read everything come across and death probably not like it but anyway um but I didn't see goals set. No, there were yeah there wasn't a goal set but nevertheless we still wanted to document the achievement that was made even in the absence of a how do we arrive at not setting goals

typically traditionally for construction We've set 300,000 as kind of our our base and if we think early on something it's going to be less than that. We typically have not set goals. Um that was a very early estimate on this project. Clearly missed by a mile. The bids came in twice that. But nevertheless, if you look at the agenda memo, we had two biders and we we documented the M and the W that they both submitted. The winning bid had better MNW participation in total than the other bid did. I'll let Mike Purdue here from OBG Coliseum and speak to the specifics of the project itself.

I know we voted already, but I just

the city's guidelines obviously set goals. They don't set goals on the project engineer estimated to come in at 300,000 or less this project here. And that was the case in this The engine's estimate was under below the threshold to set goals. Unfortunately, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing numbers come in way higher than the engineers expected to be. That's why the price escalated and there was no gold settlement. However, we did note that the general contractor that's going to be awarded the contractor is a MBE also with registered with the city over and above the 17% the general contractor also themsel and and I know that's not counted toward your goals but I just want to point that out

that it is MBE general contractor is that they out of Mount North Carolina as the general contractor and they're a small contract, small MWB contractor that's been in business for roughly five years and just now started wanting to do business with the city of Greensboro and looking forward to doing this project. Thanks, Mike, for that.

Thank you. Um, item I4 is an ordinance amending coliseum capital improvement fund 529 in the amount of 770,000 for hockey improvements. Moved by Mr. Holston. Seconded by Mayor Prom, please vote. That passes 9 to zero. Our final item tonight is I5, a resolution approving a soul source purchase with Polyine Ink for Caraf C6257 polymer. Moved by Mrs. Sec. Council, please vote. And that passes 9 to Z. That is the end of our printed portion of our agenda. Um, let's do um boards and commissions. Mrs. High Tower. Mr. Holston.

Yes. Uh to the Sustainability Council, I want to reappoint Mr. Andrew Randall. He's finishing his first term and he's eligible for reappoint for a second term. There is a motion and a second by Mrs. High Totower. All in favor say I. Oppos. That passes unanimously. Mr. Mini. Yes, Madam Mayor. My appointment would be for the minimum housing standards commission and it would be Taylor. Is that a reappoint? A new appointment. And

who will they be replacing? They replaced Amber who resigned and not eligible for August. Okay. Second. Okay. Seconded by Mrs. All in favor say I. I. Oppos. That passes unanimously. Mrs. Yes. I want to appoint JD Gallion to the board of adjustments replacing Ted Oliver. Second. Um, all in favor say I. I. Opposed. That passes unanimously. Um, I would like to reappoint David Parish for PTRWA.

Second. No. All in favor say I. I oppos. That's good. Um, that passes unanimously. Mrs. Dr. Wells, I'd like to appoint Terry Seavoy to to the minimum house standing commission to replace.

Seconded. Oh, that's passed away. So, all in favor say I. I. That was unanimous. Um, Mrs. Thurm.

Miss Pender. Um, council comments. We'll start on this end. Miss Pender, we'll start with you. um just had an amazing time and hopefully that many um of our residents here in Greensboro and outside of Greensboro with the folk festival just had an amazing just turnout this weekend. Also just want to just reiterate how we've been talking about housing and employability and things of that nature and what we see I feel like it's a spark that's happening here um in the city with the housing and again we've talked about 10,000 is just the start to where we really need to be and we need to be able to diversify that housing and so what we've been able to see here tonight as well as what's continuing to happen in our city around making sure that we have um housing for our residents that are here now and for those that are coming is really important but outside of housing also to ify our health care needs as well because if you don't have health, you don't have anything else and just want to um bring to people's attention if they're not aware of over in partnership with Cone Health as well as Greensboro Housing Authority. They have a partnership where they are providing virtual primary care twice a week over in the Hampton homes, Warersville, and Southeast Greensboro. And I don't think people are aware of those health benefits that are available for individuals if they need primary care needs. Um just health education that's happening right now in the southeast side of Greensboro on Mondays

and Thursdays. And also on Tuesdays there's a partnership with the housing authority as well as with UNCCG providing extended care. So again we talk about housing and what are all of those elements that help us have a healthy community. Want to make sure are aware of the spark and the things that are truly are happening in our city and want to make sure we're lifting that up and people know that hey we're listening things are happening and want to make sure that it gets out. So thank you. Thank you Mrs. Thur.

I also wanted to say I think last weekend was an amazing event. um the number of people that were downtown. Um and I was very excited to see online that we had people from Charlotte standing in line to take the train from Charlotte to Greensboro. Uh which is a wonderful thing for the folk festival. I also met a number of people from out of town um that were here that came specifically for the folk festival and I thought it was so great. Um it was it was just a wonderful wonderful event, a mix of everybody happy together in one place regardless of where you come from, what your nationality, religion, whatever. It was just a great great event. Uh also want to remind people that Pride is this Saturday at Labau Park. The footprint for Pride is different. It's not down Elm Street this year. It's focused and centered around Labau Park. Um I believe that kicks off at 11. Um so come out for that. And we also have the powout this weekend at is it country park? At at country park. So encourage people um to come out. You know, it was the folk festival kicked us off and we've got the next several weekends. We have lots to do in Greensboro and u lots of fun. So, enjoy. Come out and have a great time. Thank you,

Dr. Wells. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um I'm the leazison for the library and I want to encourage the citizens of our public library. There are lots of activities going on there. Always check out books and free Wii U meeting room. So just learn more about our public library and use it because it is the we have the conduit to our destiny. That's not I also want to let you know that the there will be a candidates forum from concerned citizens of northeast Greenboro on October 4th. I want to invite all of you which is the 18th to Bennett College for District 2 town hall and it's a glimpse into the future bright future for district two and so I invite all of you to come and hear more about the housing developments that are going on about our treasure in district and about becoming a historic meal district. So come and learn more about what's happening in district 2. That's Thursday night at 6:30 until 8 at the global learning center. We'll also hear from the interim president of college. I'm inviting all of you to come. Mayor Pro,

thank you so much. Um, of course, the folk festival was just fantastic as some up here already stated. Um, and I do want to commend the ones who helped the folk festival this year. I know uh Mrs. Thurm did the bucket brigade and I believe did anybody else Ja did you I thought she volunteered. That's right. So I know there were several volunteers from here but everything was just fabulous. Perfect. You couldn't have asked for better weather. It was just amazing. So everything and all the entertainment was absolutely topnotch. Um I know several of us uh were there today at the Kellen Foundation. They were uh going over all of their renovations and everything that they've done. U they were gifted a church in order to have a hope. To me it's very much like the family justice center type where it's a one-stop shop where all the organizations are in one area. And I think that is really going to help with those who are experiencing mental health issues. Uh kind of almost a preventive in many aspects. So, uh people can go in there and any type of help they need. They're going to have all different kinds of organizations and many of them are already there. So, that was exciting. And condolences of course to the family of Joseph McNeel. I know I was able to stop by there um for the funeral and uh the outpouring of support for the Joseph McNeel family and to honor his legacy as being one of the Greensboro uh was was absolutely heartwarming to see. Um it was like standing room. So um want to give condolences to the family and to all of those who

just quick again this is this is the 11th folk festival. Our first three of course were the national uh and since then we've been to North Carolina. Just congratulations. We have a wonderful young staff and they were I think very intentional about choice of talent and something uh there for uh various generations with all three headliners Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So uh as we've said the weather was perfect. So um you know I think perhaps we can begin to hang our hat on music as being another tribute for the city of Ptor.

Thank you, Mr. Msini.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, in the spirit of festivals, I'd like to also remind everybody that the Greek festival is the 27th and 28th coming up at the Greek Orthodox Church in I believe, West Road. And so, it's always a fun time, a very energetic, and awesome food. Kudos to the staff of the festival planning weather. You're gonna have to teach me that on festival lights and so forth. But they did a great job and I saw a lot of pictures that you know were just incredible. You know, I've spent some time, you know, in relation to housing um and workforce at Goodwill recently as Mayor Pro Tim said Foundation this morning on that helps with behavioral health tiny in the center. Um, and just trying to figure out how to pull things together. I was in a meeting, which we'll hear about later this week, about plan for downtown, and then it got railroaded significantly based on some experiences a few folks have had downtown. And um, you know, working together, we can help improve our community. And I give kudos to Sharon High Tower on John Deere way. Um you you did whisper that in our ears many times and your stickuitiveness which is a word um proved to be something that brought us a project that I can easily get behind. And so that's what we got to do. And asking questions is not a bad thing. Sometimes challenging um process is not a bad thing. And so I appreciate you bringing that forward. Um that's it.

Mr. Holston.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Also attended the uh services for Joseph McNeil, major general Joseph McNeel, and uh it still amazes me that someone who was a freshman along with the other three of the ENT4, the Greensboro 4 uh but Major General Joseph McNeel was 17 years old. Just just think about what we were all doing at age 17 and and he and the other three were changing the world at such a young age. Even after achieving the rank of major general, it took a lot of achievement, accomplishments, accolades to become a major general. But we remember him most because of what he did when he was 17 years old. And it's just an encouragement for for many in our in our community to know that no matter what your age is that you can make a profound impact on our community and the world. Also, I want to talk about John Demery and also the other project out at the Regency. But but that John Dimry project is kind of that model. It's the one that you know I mentioned earlier about the market rate. You're talking about LITC. You're talking about down payment assistance. Um you're talking about a previously underserved community. U a revitalization of a property that had been originally uh developed by Project Homestead. I mean, that's that's what we're needing to uplift the communities that uh haven't been uplifted in the past. And and that is a beautiful beautiful project. In the last I know been some comments about the folk festival. Uh but when it comes to economic engagement and economic impact, it was a really impressive weekend. We're talking about the folk festival

that brought so many people to our downtown community. But let's don't stop there because at the very same time that that was going on, you had at the coliseum, you had the professional bull riding and the fair going on. This is all simultaneous. But let's not forget that also on that Saturday evening, North Carolina ENT played Hampton University and it's a thrilling double overtime victory. But those four things were happening at the same time. Look at what's happening with Greensboro. We are scaling ourselves up so strongly that it used to be in the past if you had one of those things then the city would have shut down. But we handled all four at the same time and we kept moving without a blip. Greensboro's on the cusp of greatness and this is an example of it. We have the economic engagement. We're working the housing piece in and we're also remembering those who have served us so well. Major General Joseph McNeel. Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Thank you, Mr. Stower.

Share the mic again. Um, so want to start out um first of all by saying um thank you. I appreciate um rec of doing John Deere. Um, it's long overdue and I'm excited about that area. Um, but I also know that it's leading to more development. Um, just today got invitation to Magnolia McConnell Reed Ridge. I'm sorry, MC Ridge and McConnell Ridge is out um on McCell Road. 435 MC road the house and they're all town homes town community the prices are going from 289 to 329 beautiful design eastsboro is being enhanced with good housing quality housing we are growing there's more housing projects coming not just along road uh but street um houses being built there and A lot of our small minority contractors are building things and that's how we help them economically as well. Um by developing on lots that the city has had for years on Gillespie Street. If you go down there right now, there's a house being that's been built. No house has been built over there in 30 years. So we are seeing a move that is going to house individuals and stabilize our communities and our neighborhoods. Um so if you get a chance to join us on September 30th um at MC Ridge it's going to be a little small ribbon cutting ceremony out there. Um and so I would encourage you just to go to the website. You'll be amazed at what it looks like. It's great and this is the type of what

we deserve in East Greenboro and it's moving along with Mount Zion. Somebody mentioned um also on the 30th um there is a meeting at the East Market Street 7day Adventist on 101 West Vanelia of the discolored water. I know that is a concern and we are concerned. We are addressing it. We are going to make sure that we get it correct. We get it done. Um it has always been addressed but this meeting we will have NCD there. Uh we will have PTW regional water. Okay. Sometime I get the acronym flip. Um they will be there as well as our fire chief will be there to address some concerns as well. Um it is important um to this community and to southeast and east. It is variable. Um and so want people to know that that's being going to be addressed. You got a learn about it, please come, please ask the question, please hear. Um, and I'm thankful to Mr. Mortes, Mike Vortes knows water in and out. Um, and I was recently looking at our projects coming along with our water. We're doing Townsen and Mitchell. We're spending millions of dollars to ensure that we continue to have a quality water product. and we're known for quality water property. Um I just want people to know that. Um so those two that event please come out. Um I want to give my condolences to the family of Mr. McNeel. Um just imagine how that was 17. No, I wasn't thinking about that. Um I was probably just trying to figure out how to get a date maybe. I don't know. It's

17. But um surely he has left his mark on the world and that is something that was done right here. We can't um forget that. Um and finally um on Sunday at 2 o'clock we are recognizing Bob McAdoo. We are renaming the Bimbo Park the Bob Madu Park and he lives right here in this city in Bimbo Park and um the history of Mr. McAdoo um is astounding really truthfully. He ended his career with the Lakers. Um, and during that time from 72 to 86, um, he was a fivetime NBA player and recognized as an allar and then he was an NBA MVP. So, we have a lot of talent that has come through this city and um just we're going to recognize him on Sunday by renaming the park. He is excited about it. He graduated Smith High School. Um but um and so he he's proud to come back home and be recognized by his hometown and we give him his flowers today that he smells them. And then we're painting the a mural on the court that recognizes him. Um, I will ask anyone coming, you will have to park at the El Richardson Hospital um because the site is constrained and very small, but we have shuttles that will drive you from El Richard to Bimbo. So, please come. Thank you. Um, I want to start off by saying our assistant city manager, Andrea Harold, is a badass. Um,

Also, also on Saturday was the memorial 911 stair climb. Um K, you were there. Tammy, you were there. Jamila. Um but um Andrea outdid us all. She did the entire stair climb in a dress in high heels. Yep. And um I I think she was just going to do one one of them. Um but then I think she decided to take the challenge and did the whole entire thing. We have pictures. We we have video actually.

Yes. Um but I know that was really really appreciated and we had a good crowd this year. We talk about never forgetting but I think that we have forgotten as time goes by and I think what we have forgotten most of all was the unity that we felt as a country right after that happened. Um it is so different from the way we are today. Um and I pray that it doesn't take a catastrophe to bring us all back together. But I just wish we would measure our words and really think about how they impact other people and how we can be better people to have a better a better city. Um so the stair climb it marked 24 years. Next year will be the the 25th and I hope that we'll all show up and that we'll do a couple of steps. Um you don't have to wear heels, you can wear your sneakers, but this is this is really important and it's important that we don't forget.

Um speaking of not forgetting, I want to remind everybody that the primaries um early voting starts on the 18th. Um there will be um early voting sites. Um last year, last um city council election, only 16.2% of our eligible voters voted. That means that 84% of the city was okay with letting 16% decide how the city was going to move forward. We really, really need to do better than that. So, I hope everybody will get out and vote and that they'll bring a friend. You can always make a day of it. Um, bring two friends. Yes, you can bring as many people as you want. But, um, I think it's really, really important that people get out and vote. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Maline, I think maybe we depend on I do have a comment. Sure. I I just wanted to say people need to check the early voting schedule very carefully because um the courthouse is the only one open uh Thursday and Friday the 18th and 19th and there are the other ones do not open until the 25th. So I'm just saying check the the calendar very very carefully. Um and the courthouse is open 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. the other ones will be open and I can't remember all of those days, but it doesn't open till 10:00 and and yeah, check the schedules.

People can go to the board of elections website and um see the calendars of what's open and what day. So, um I I would like to say that this is one of the worst early voting um that can be the vote is being suppressed because there are only four early voting sites. One of them is the Coliseum um and the other one is downtown Burme and James Jamestown. Um so a question that I got from um someone Mr. city manager is because those first five days are at the downtown. U how can we reserve parking on the street so that people can access the courthouse because it's impossible to get downtown. We got to park and walk a long ways being very disenfranchised people to go vote at at downtown. And how can we um reserve those spaces along there from South all the way to Green Street even on both sides at least on one side to make sure people are going to be able to park because you got the bus that's going to come through there and then you've got um the side as well is going to be there. So it's going to be very limited parking. So this being votes are being voters are being disenfranchised and really to be honest it's just for everybody to be honest because the senior citizen if they don't do the curbside then they got or how they gonna get there how they gonna get it and so how can we do that and I'm going to ask

how can we help with transit as well because even going out to the coliseum Um, I will say the coliseum has said no parking fee, so you won't have to pay to park at the coliseum, but it's in meeting room 4 um at the special event center. So, we've got to make sure that people even know where to go. You want more than 16%, this ain't going to get it because this is not fair for this to happen, unfortunately, unless we make sure people know how to get access. And and while we're while we're sharing the mic here, um, and knowing that that first week is just at the courthouse and parking is already very challenged, can we validate parking in the parking tax so that the parking is free so that if you aren't doing curbside voting, if you do want to travel down, and I know it's a walk, but still it would make the walk a little better if you and and maybe the turnout a little bit better if that parking was validated much like it's going to be validated, so to speak, when uh the Coliseum and Burme and uh the Jamestown town hall open up on the 25th.

Yes. To answer. So the first one I have a call in to Charlie Collica to work with them to make sure that legally we're within you know I don't want to um get into any type of you know conflict with the voting regulations uh with the county. So I want to coordinate that that through him the first request for the to blocking the parking. The second two we can work with Mr. Mason with our our transit authority uh to provide some transportation. We just need to figure out what specifically that would be and what times. I know early voting people may go at different times but we can work with that. Uh and then that ladder um to validate parking that could be pretty simple. Again we just need to find out you know who would be parking in those locations. So, we'll work with those two and I'll get you an answer uh from you know as it relates to blocking those lanes. I do completely understand that and sometimes it can be challenging especially uh you know if the elderly are trying to park in downtown. So, we'll try to figure that out.

Yeah. Well, I I would almost feel assured that board that that Charlie and them over there would be glad to have parking open so they can get people coming in. So, I mean, you know, but just we offer that to our citizens, they know that maybe then they'll be able to kind of it won't be such a challenge as much as a challenge. So, thank you for considering that. Thank you.

Thank you, M. Oh, and the water meeting starts at 6 o' I forgot to give that time. It's going to be 7day ad um Advant you know East Market Street 7day Adventist moved over and bought the um old Vandelia Presbyterian Church and done a beautiful job over there on the corner. So 101 West that's Tuesday September 30th.

Thank you Mr. City Manager. Uh I just want to say thank you to council uh we have done a lot of work. I want to give a big shout out to assistant city manager McCrae uh for the continued effort uh to ensure that some of these things came to fruition. I know uh sometimes can be challenging but they're providing much needed housing for different a number of different dynamics in our community. So those things are big and thank you council to working uh for working through those with us. Uh and thank you for everything you do. Madam, city attorney. Do we have a motion to adjurnn?

Moved by Dr. Wells, seconded by Mr. Holston. All in favor say I. We're [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music]