Just take their tuxedos back this morning and then I took them back and vest was missing. Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Turn this off. Just something simple. Greetings everyone. I'm Allen Joines, mayor of Winston-Salem. It's my honor to call to order this meeting of the Winston-Salem City Council and ask the city clerk to call the roll, please. Council member Joiner. Present. >> Council member Clark. Here. Council member Endri Bowen. Here. Council member Scipio. Present. Mayor pro tem Adams. >> Here. Council member Taylor. >> Present. Council member Hall. >> Present. >> And Council member Burke. Here. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, before we go into our moment of silence, I'd like to on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Winston-Salem offer our deep condolences to the families of the two young men who were killed today at Lineberry Park as well as to the families of the other victims who were injured today. I ask our citizens to keep them in our prayers and I know this has caused fear, pain and heartbreak to many of you, especially our young people. Moments such as this remind us of the responsibility we all share to look after one another, to listen to one another and to work towards real solutions that will keep our young people safe and supported. So, please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you very much. Going to change up things just a little bit, City Council. I'm going to ask that we go and do the honorarium first before we do hear the report from Oh, I'm sorry. We've got a We've got to win a little thing before the honorarium. We've got a big guy out there that is going to come up and uh introduce Brian DeAngelo, who is the general manager of the Salem Dash organization as well as a friend of his. So, Mr. DeAngelo, would you and your friend come forward? Yeah. Yeah. >> [applause] >> You know, our country is celebrating its 250th birthday uh on July 4th and we've got a lot of things going on in Winston-Salem, but the Dash has got some very special things going at Mr. DeAngelo is going to tell us about. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Council as well for having us here today and I made sure both were his red cuz I know that Winston-Salem State is here as well and we want to congratulate [laughter] them. >> [applause] >> accomplishment, but um we are beyond thrilled to be able to host the 250th anniversary of America and in partnership with the city of Winston-Salem, we we thank you for allowing us to present at Truist Stadium this year as well. We do have a loaded docket this year. We are going to have the largest fireworks show that Winston-Salem has ever hosted. We are going to include a flyover as well as paratroopers and we invite all of the citizens of Winston-Salem to come and join us. Because of our capacity restrictions that we have, July 4th is not the only time we'll be offering this. July 2nd and July 3rd will also have the fireworks show to accommodate as many fans as possible and as part of our community initiative where we're hosting multiple free events for the rest of the community this year. We welcome you to come out to those as well. So, thank you for having us. Thank you, Brian and we look forward to celebrating >> [laughter] >> our [clears throat] own 250th birthday here. Bobby, you want to say anything? >> [laughter] >> All right. Thank you very much and um We have invitations for for the game at your places there, you said, for Little Sluggers. All right. Now we'll go to our honorarium. Resolution honoring the >> Pledge of Allegiance. Oh, well, I'm telling you I I am off to kill tonight. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> [laughter] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Should have gotten Bobby to lead us in the pledge, but Now we'll go to the honorarium. Resolution honoring the Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams basketball team for historic 2025-2026 season. Whereas the City of Winston-Salem takes pride in recognizing collegiate athletics as a powerful driver of leadership development, community engagement and economic impact contributing to the overall vitality and growth of the city. And whereas the Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams basketball team completed a historic 28-4 season highlighted by a perfect 13-0 home record winning the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament title for the first time in program history. And whereas under the leadership of head coach Tiyonda Terry with assistant coaches Jessica Freeman and Dylan Anderson, the Lady Rams earning their first NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance as a number three seed for the first time in program [snorts] history demonstrating exceptional competitive performance on a national stage. And whereas the Lady Rams concluded the coach Tiyonda Terry earning both CIAA Coach of the Year honors and the Clarence "Big House" Gaines Coach of the Year award by the National Sports Media Association and student-athlete Brianna Rowe being named CIAA Rookie of the Year. And whereas the Lady Rams also excelled academically and in service with 13 student-athletes named to the CIAA Commissioner's Honor Roll for maintaining a minimum 3.0 grade point average while also engaging in community initiatives such as the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina annual Mistletoe Run and reading to students at Ward Elementary School. And whereas these achievements were accomplished under the leadership of Chancellor Bonita J. Brown, Winston-Salem State University's 14th chancellor whose commitment to excellence continues to elevate the university's impact in the City of Winston-Salem, the region and the state of North Carolina. Now therefore, be it resolved that the mayor and City Council of the City of Winston-Salem do hereby proclaim April 20th, 2026 as Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams Day in the City of Winston-Salem and encourage all residents to join in recognizing and celebrating the remarkable achievements of the Lady Rams basketball team and their contributions to our community. I have a motion. >> [applause] >> I'll second. All those in favor of the motion, say I. I. All opposed, that's unanimous. >> [laughter] >> I'd like to invite Chester Brown, Coach Terry and members of the team to come forward and our own Winston-Salem State alumna uh Council member Burke is going to present the resolution. Yeah, yeah. Ladies, come on up. >> Don't y'all forget to do the pom poms at the end, okay? Which way should >> Don't forget to do that at the end. Face Use a cheerleader voice. I put your cup. Oh, it didn't have a stick. She's got it. I must left [snorts] everything else on my bird. Needs to talk in the mic. Chancellor Brown, Coach Terry, and the outstanding, amazing Lady Rams. It is my honor to present this resolution on behalf of the city of Winston-Salem for an outstanding, historic season. Congratulations. >> [applause and cheering] >> That's It's getting everywhere. Council Brown, I'll say something to guys. She's coming. Okay. We got a long week. The mayor, you might Okay. >> [clears throat] >> All right, here we go. 3 2 1 One more. 3 2 >> [applause] >> On behalf of Winston-Salem State University, I just want to say thank you to the City Council. This is a special team. This was a historic run. I thank you for acknowledging them. They have been working hard and they know that also means more hard work for next year. No pressure. Um but thank you all for all that you do. We're glad to be a vibrant part of this community and thank you all for acknowledging uh their services. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Coach Terry, would you like to say a word? Coach Terry. Uh I'm >> A suicide Coach. Coach. Yeah, thank you everyone for um the acknowledgement. It was a really fun season. Um you know, now we can sit back and reflect on what we really did because I couldn't reflect in the season, but now we know that we really did some amazing things here. Really proud of these young women on the court and in the classroom. Um Yesterday was Amari's birthday. Today is actually Pi's birthday, so this just made her day. >> [laughter] >> But um we really want to thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts. It means a lot to be acknowledged like this, so thank you. >> [applause] >> All right. Thank you all for being with us tonight and again, congratulations. Now, we'll get to the city manager's uh update and report. Mr. Pate. Thank you, Mayor. Um I'm just going to do just a a couple of short announcements and then um get to the the the issue of the day. Uh just just to remind folks in the community, our transit authority is working on some changes on the UMO account, so we are encouraging people to go to the website to sign up. Um it's a it's very simple to use and so we hope that people will will go and use that out of part of the bus uh system. Um a couple of things we'll we're putting on uh coming up, but I did want to mention that we did have a a great um program graduation program for our uh successful outcomes after release soar program and our positive path folks last week. So, we graduated several uh individuals um and saw them taking steps to to to improve things in their own lives, which was a great accomplishment. We also had a a great event of the Great American Cleanup and so there there'll be more information that'll come out some more on the website. We had over 131 volunteers working to clean up things in the city, so that's a our [clears throat] a positive thing that was going on. And then uh last Saturday, the sustainability award winners were announced at our Piedmont Environmental Fair Day. So, I'm not going to talk about each of the winners tonight, but you can go on our website and see more about those um and and get information about the kind of good things that are going on in the sustainability uh framework in our community. Uh two events just to make sure you and the community are aware of. On Wednesday, the 22nd, the solar panel reveal event will be happening at Fire Station 3, which is at 2995 North Liberty Street. Uh so, that's at 10:00 a.m. um on Wednesday, the 22nd. And then on Thursday, the 23rd, we'll be hosting the city services expo and community conversation on service priorities. Uh and that will be at the Fairgrounds Home and Garden Center. And so, we do encourage everyone in the community that would like to >> [snorts] >> uh be involved in the conversation about city priorities, which leads into what is going to be in the budget and what will be in the budget for this upcoming year uh as a conversation amongst community members and with our elected officials and others, staff members that will be there to help facilitate that. We will also have tables from all city services, or practically all city services, at least direct uh resident-facing services there, so that you can come if you've got questions about a certain items, whether it's trash pickup or recycling or your water and sewer services, you'll have individuals there, police services, fire services that can answer questions that you may have as a community member about those services. So, we encourage people to take advantage of that. That'll be at 6:00, from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Fairgrounds Home and Garden Center um this Thursday, April 23rd. And with [clears throat] and with that, I I will I will call on uh Chief Pena to give you some brief uh comments about the uh the terrible tragedy that happened this morning. Chief. Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem. >> [clears throat] >> Mayor, I'm going to echo your sentiments earlier in providing condolences to the family. Uh today was a dark day. Uh I don't know else how to say it. >> [snorts] >> Uh a group of juveniles um met at Long Branch Park to or prearranged fight. And once they got there, our worst fears are recognized as someone pulled out a gun and started shooting. It was It was a shootout. And we lost a 16- and 17-year-old today. At 4:00, I did a press release and I spoke about that. And I know that the community is looking to us to address um those fears, those concerns. >> [clears throat] >> Again, I've said this before, you look tone-deaf when you speak on the safety of our city after an event like that. However, I just have to remind us that it is a safe city. But we can contribute to the level of our safety by our behaviors, our activities. I continue to call on adults, cuz it just doesn't have to be parents, but adults to step up and jump in there when they can. And that's why we're community. That means everyone coming together for the common good, which is the safety of our community. I don't know else how to say it. We all play a role in public safety. That's why it's called public safety, not police safety, not your safety, not my safety, it's our safety, it's public safety. And we all have to play our role. That's the only way we get to be the city that we wish to be. Um so, to to the parents, keep having those conversations about doing the right things. Stay away from the fight. It's not like it was before when you get into a scuffle and that's the end of it. They bring these these phones out and these fights live in infamy. And so, our kids say I have to make sure I don't look bad on social media. So, that prompts different behaviors. Stay away from the fights. Stay away from those activities where these weapons can come in. We can do better as a community. And we will. I'm confident that we will. Any questions for me? Any questions for Chief? Thank you, Chief. It was a very tough day for you and your department. >> Thank you. And I just wanted to add, we we had a [laughter] ton of assistance at the federal level, at the state level, local levels. Um and also in that very area, the medical personnel came out of their their facilities and started rendering aid. Um if there's if there's a light at the end of the tunnel, folks stepped up. Our community stepped up in time of need. So, I'll leave you with that. Good. Thank you, Chief. >> [clears throat] >> That's all, Mayor, unless there are any other general questions. >> Any questions for Mr. Pate? And I And I will remind you to recognize the sergeant-at-arms. Thank you. Sergeant-at-arms. >> I got you. I got you. All right. Thank you, Mr. Pate. We do have sergeant-at-arms tonight. It's Lieutenant James Singletary. Lieutenant, thank you for being with us tonight. And our fire marshal was Bradley Watson. Thank you for being with us. So, as you know, tonight's agenda is comprised of two parts, the general agenda and the consent agenda. As always, the practice of our council will take the consent agenda as the first order of business. These items have been unanimously recommended by committee of the city council or are being submitted in accordance with established city procedure. There's no discussion of these items unless a council member so requests, in which event uh the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered individually. Items [snorts] not removed from the consent agenda will be enacted with one motion. Council members, I do just want to note that on the consent agenda tonight, there's an item uh that's a resolution honoring Dr. Janet Spriggs as the 2026 North Carolina Community College System President of the Year, which will be presented to her tomorrow at the school celebration. She couldn't be here tonight, but so I just wanted to let the public know about that. So, are there any items that council members wish to pull from the consent agenda? If not, I'll entertain for the balance. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem, second by uh Council Member Hall. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Anyone opposed, no. And that is unanimous. We'll now go to the uh general agenda, which is includes an annexation hearing. There are two rezoning petitions, as well as a special use permit uh request. Uh when the public hearing is called, persons in the council chamber will be given an opportunity to speak. And if there is opposition to these items, the opponents and proponents will each be given 15 minutes for presentations and 3 minutes for rebuttal. If no one wishes to speak, I'll close the public hearing and the city council will consider the item. May we have item G1, please? Item [clears throat] G1, public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to annex a portion of PIN number 5896-21-0637, known as Brookberry Farm Phase 9 Lot 650. Thank you. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone in the council chamber who wishes to be heard on this proposed annexation? This came from the committee of the whole, but would have come from the public works committee. So, therefore, I'll recognize our chairman of public works, Council Member Burke. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move for approval of the ordinance for the annexation of the portion of PIN number 5896-21-0637, known as Brookberry Farm Phase 9 Lot 650. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Seconded by Council Member Scippio. Any discussion? Mr. Clark's ward, I know he's glad to have some more property there. All those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes. Anyone opposed, vote no. That is unanimous. >> [clears throat and cough] >> Item G2. Item G2, public hearing and consideration of a zoning petition of the City of Winston-Salem from County MUS to City MUS. Property located at the northern terminus of Maple Chase Lane and the northeastern terminus of Pins Meadow Lane, containing approximately 0.20 acres. This is a public hearing. It's a simple item where we just item we just annexed. We're now going from county zoning to city zoning. But, I'd recognize anyone in the council chamber who wishes to be heard on this proposed rezoning. Seeing no one, I'll declare the public hearing closed. Um and I'd recognize uh Council Member Clark. Thank you, Mayor. I move for approval of [cough and laughter] one, the statement of consistency for the approval of this item and two, W3677. Second. Seconded by Council Member Joiner. Any further discussion or questions? If not, all those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes. Anyone opposed, [snorts] vote no. And that is unanimous. Thank you, Council Member Clark. Item G3. Item G3, public hearing and consideration of a zoning petition of Winston-Salem Business Adventures LLC from RS9 and HB and HB to HB. Property located on the east side of Germanton Road, northeast of the intersection of Germanton Road and North Patterson Avenue, containing approximately 3.03 acres. [clears throat] Thank you. Is there anyone in the council chamber who is opposed to this rezoning? All right. Seeing no one, I'll declare the public hearing closed and would recognize Council Member Burke. Thank you again, Mr. Mayor. I move for approval of one, the statement of consistency for the approval of this item and two, W-3678. Second. Seconded by Council Member Hall. Any further discussion or questions? If not, all those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes. Anyone opposed, vote no. And that is unanimous. Thank you, Council Member Burke. Uh Item G4. >> [clears throat] >> Item G4, public hearing and consideration of an elected body special use permit petition of Concrete Supply Company LLC for expansion of asphalt and concrete plant use in the GI zoning district. Property located at the south side of Lowery Street between Stedman Street and Boulder Park Road, containing approximately 11.13 acres. Thank you. As you know, this is a public hearing regarding the petitioner's application for a special use permit to allow the expansion of an asphalt and concrete plant use in general industrial zoning. This process for issuing a special use permit is quasi-judicial. In other words, speakers must present testimony and [clears throat] evidence under oath. Speakers should rely on their own information and not base their remarks on what someone else has said or knows. The applicant or other witnesses have the right to ask questions of each other. All testimony and evidence must relate to the four findings of fact that the city council must make. All testimony and evidence must relate to the special use permit requested. As it relates to quasi-judicial hearings, council is prohibited from considering opinion testimony from non-expert witnesses, and particularly testimony as to how the proposed use would impact the value of neighbor neighboring properties. Additionally, council must only consider evidence provided at this hearing. Communications with members of the city council outside of the hearing are prohibited and must be disclosed [clears throat] if any. I'll ask now if any council member has had any discussions outside today's meeting. No. Vice says no. All right. The four findings of fact are shown there on the screen. And our process requires the council to issue a special use permit only when it is able to make an affirmative finding finding as to each of the four findings. The applicant has the burden of proof as to the second and third findings, and the opposition has the burden of proof with respect to the fifth and fourth finding. Anyone who intends to speak tonight should come forward now and to get sworn in. All right. Do you swear that the evidence you shall give to the council in this action shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? I I do. Thank you. Um I guess we'll start with you, Mr. uh Murphy, if you want to kind of tee this item up. >> [clears throat] >> Good evening, Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, members of council. Yes, this is a case uh W3676. This is an elected body special use permit uh for a piece of property on the south side of Lowery Street. It's 11.13 acres, and they are requesting a special use permit for the expansion of an asphalt and concrete plant in existing GI zoning. This is a subject property shown on the um that should not say legacy map, but the Forward 2045 Growth Management Area Plan map. It is located within GMA2 urban neighborhoods. Uh this is the subject property highlighted in yellow. Again, on the south side of Lowery Street and north of the railroad track and properties owned IP that the city owns. >> [snorts] >> Subject property outlined in yellow on the countywide aerial imagery. You do see it is an existing asphalt and concrete plant. It's been in place for over 20 years. Uh and again, this is a request for an expansion of that asphalt and concrete plant in the existing GI zoning. It's hard to tell, but there is a railroad spur that actually comes off of that railroad and pulls into the site, and that's one of the areas that they are looking to expand uh to enlarge [snorts] their presence on um through rail distribution of concrete and concrete materials. Subject property shown on the East Northeast Winston-Salem Area Plan. Uh that was updated in 2016. It recognizes the existing industrial zoning of the property and recommends industrial zoning going forward. Uh this is looking north into the subject property uh from the railroad. You see the uh some of the uh silos and equipment associated with the uh excuse me, with the concrete plant. This is the spur that pulls up into the site. Uh this is looking west on Lowry Street. The subject property is on the left. You see the elected body special use permit sign there in the image. Uh this is looking at the site from Lowry Street, so looking south from Lowry Street. You can see again some of the equipment and materials and things used for the production of concrete. Uh this is looking east uh not on Watkins Ford Road, looking east on Lowry Street. Subject property is on the right. And this is looking south from the subject property at Salem Creek Greenway and the Shallomar Estates neighborhood across the railroad tracks and across the uh stream and Greenway. Uh this is the site plan. This is showing um the site plan with the additions. I'll call your attention. We're going to zoom in a little bit closer. There are uh you see the This is the area where they are proposing to add uh six different silos, three in two different locations. And they are also proposing to add uh ex- uh new scales and two other buildings uh that would aid in the expansion of this concrete plant. Looking at the council findings uh in analyzing it uh the the first finding being that the use will not materially endanger the public health or safety if located where proposed and developed according to the application and plan as submitted and approved. Staff believes that the proposed use concrete and asphalt plant is not a threat to public health or safety. The existing concrete and asphalt plant has been located along Lowry Street for over 20 years with no known incidents. The second finding that use meets all required conditions and specifications. To the extent possible, the site is compliant with all UDO requirements. Uh one of the reasons why this permit is necessary is not only for the expansion, but for the fact that there is a use condition that basically says that asphalt and concrete plants have to be located a distance of 500 ft from RS and RM zoned property in and IP zoned property. Well, since this uh site was in place prior to that regulation, it can't obviously meet those, so that's another reason why it has to go through the special use permit process. Uh those regulations were added to the UDO after this project was approved. So to the extent practical, everything else is in compliance except for that uh one specific use condition. As far as uh whether or not this will substantially uh injure the value of adjoining or budding property or that the use is a public necessity, staff does not have the necessary expertise to make property value determination, so we do not make a recommendation to that finding. As to the fourth finding that the location and character of the use if developed in according to the application and plan submitted and approved will be in harmony with the area in which it is to be located and in general conformity with 2040 forward 2045. The adopted area plan does recommend industrial use for the subject property. Forward 2045 does encourage the expansion of existing businesses and industries in appropriate locations. Therefore, it is determined in staff's opinion that the request is consistent with forward 2045. Uh as far as recommendation, the establishment or expansion of a concrete concrete and or asphalt plant use requires the issuance of an elected body special use permit following a site plan review by the planning board in the general industrial zoning district. That site plan uh was determined by the planning board at their meeting of March 12th to be in compliance with UDO requirements. The The last thing that you have to do is what we're doing here, which is to hold a public hearing and make a determination regarding those four findings of fact and either issue or deny the special use permit request. And with that, I stand ready to answer any questions, and I know the petitioner was sworn in earlier and uh perhaps can add some additional information uh if he so chooses. Any questions to Mr. Uh yes, Council member Recipio. Mr. Murphy, um my concern is when you look at the map, how close it is to Salem Lake and our water supply. Uh please address that issue that makes it okay to put this here. It's a safety issue. This This actually does not drain into uh the water supply watershed. It is adjacent to the Salem Lake water supply watershed, but it is uh it flows away from the lake itself, so it's below the dam where the water goes. So this will not get into the water supply watershed of Salem Lake. And I think it's great that you said over the last 20 years we have not had any incidences that would be environmental related. Correct. Thank you. All right. Thank you. This is a public hearing, and uh I know would you like to say you're you're sworn in if you'd like to make a brief comment. All right. I can add that um Would you state your name and address for the record? >> Graham. Timothy Graham, 4336 River Bluff Drive, Denton, North Carolina. Wonderful. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Um we will be removing quite a bit of incoming traffic like in 18-wheeler deliveries by utilizing the rail. That's one of the things that will help streamline the plant and and increase public safety and wear and tear on the roads goes down. We had a potential of removing approximately 50 to 60 18-wheelers load of cement coming in weekly. So that's uh fairly significant reduction in traffic on the road as far as incoming cement deliveries. That's That's the whole reason that we're trying to utilize the rail spur for incoming cement. Okay. That's really all I have unless y'all have any questions. Any questions Thank you very much. Thank you. Anyone else in the Council chamber here like to be heard on this proposed special use permit? All right. Seeing no one, I'll declare the uh public hearing closed and would recognize Council member Recipio. >> [snorts] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move that based upon the application, testimony, and evidence presented at the at this public hearing, that one, the City Council affirm the four findings as required by section 3.2.13.E.6.A of the Unified Development Ordinances. And two, the City Council approve the site plan that is included with the special use permit request along with the conditions included in the special use permit and staff report. And three, the City Council approve W-3676 and issue a special use permit to Concrete Supply Company LLC for a one-time expansion of its asphalt and concrete plant use in the GI zoning district. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mayor Pro Tem. Discussion? Questions? If not, all those in favor of the motion, please indicate by voting yes. Anyone opposed, vote no. >> [snorts] >> And that is unanimous. Thank you, Council member Recipio. Now go to the public comment period. Uh this is a time uh once per month that City Council and I invite citizens to address us on matters that are germane to city government. We ask that you would limit your comments to 3 minutes after stating your name and address for the record. We'd ask that you uh would be courteous to our Council members and let you know that the Council will not be answering necessarily questions tonight, but if necessary, we will refer the items to the staff for response. Uh we do limit this uh time to 30 minutes, and I believe we have we have six individuals. So we're starting with uh Matthew Mears, please. >> [snorts] >> Good evening. Uh my name is Matthew Mears. I live at 2844 Wesleyan Lane. Um I wanted to comment that it was great to see some of you at the Piedmont Earth Day Fair on Saturday. It was especially uh adorable, Mr. Mayor, to see the the shadow uh the shadow mayor for the day that you had with you. That was That was pretty cute. I also saw a number of staff people, quite a few. Um and on the subject of staff, maybe I don't say it enough. I just think the city staff is great. Um everybody I talk to is friendly and knowledgeable and smart, and they know how to do their job, and they're even patient with me. So, you know, that's something. So, Mr. Mayor, you must be doing something right to to get those people and keep them. Um you probably guess I'm actually here to talk about budget tonight uh since we're getting into that season. And um specifically about uh energy efficiency and how that'll help your budget. Um I sent you all uh some information maybe yesterday, and maybe you've had a chance to look at it. I don't know. Um Mayor Pro Tem Adams, I think you and I are just alike. Everybody can see that, right? In that. [laughter] We both have strong opinions and we both love our gardens, right? And you know, like every gardener, what's been going on the last bunch of years. We get hotter, longer, drier spells followed by a month's worth of rain in a day. That's a terrible way to run a garden. And it's an expensive way to have to run a city because well, storm sewers don't like that. Vegetation management doesn't like that. Crime statistics go up when it's hot. All number of things are more expensive and it's coming. Climate change isn't a thing of the few Well, it is a thing of the future, but it's also a thing of today. Um we're in a very long, hot, dry spell now. Well, it's not as hot today. But um you're going to have more expenses and we need to start now thinking about what are the ways we are going to um save that money, preferably without reducing services cuz you're going to have have to start having cooling centers that you don't have now. Um you're going to have probably more crime pressure because of heat any number of things. So, I hope that um all of you will have a hard look at the ways that we can start using less energy now to save that money. Takes a little bit of money to save the money, but it pays big dividends over time. Um I'll have more specific things to say to you about all of that in the future um as we go into more public meetings, but thanks so much for listening and um and also go Rams. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Arnelous Peterson. Good evening, y'all doing? Mayor, all the board. Um I can speak on behalf of advocate for the whole community. Um I understand every time a budget come around, we always reinventing [clears throat] the wheel. But we've been having um a lot of do a lot of um a lot of entities with a lot of people that's dealing with the cultural competency that we need necessary. And I'm only talking about the community that we speak about cuz there's different elements of community. Um what the community I'm caring for is the community that had to suffer what what just happened yesterday. I mean today it goes on to back 3 years when it happened again. Every time um I think the grants rule people get a momentum or whatever it may be, it funds or some kind of way it's something always getting taken away. And a lot of the snow a lot of the situations that occur that are snowballing into the fact where this was escalating. It's going to keep on because the consistency is no consistency. It's always a new program. It's always this taking place. I feel that we need to come in tune with those that's on the boots on the ground and then who are really kind of like in action there. Be there when they do. Consistency is what we have built on to be able to get these relationships we have. We have the cultural competency that a lot of things can't be identified with different elements. And we're here to be able to just stand in the gap for these people in these our community because it's necessary. We don't need a new program. We need consistency. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Joanne Allen. Joanne Allen, P.O. Box 284, uh 27102. It's good to be back. All I can say very quickly is that nothing in Winston-Salem has changed. If I didn't know any better, I think I was at a funeral. Let me remind everyone again is that we First of all, you all took a oath. And that oath was to the people, not to each other, not to certain people out here, you know, that give you certain perks and certain benefits and other things. You all took a oath to the people who voted to put every last one of you all in office. Oh, trust me, I haven't changed at all. Because for over 20-some years, we have been doing nothing but just moving along, moving along. High Point, Greensboro, Charlotte, everyone has surpassed Winston-Salem. They still call it a little tobacco town, although tobacco is no longer here. Let me just say this. We've been here long enough to know that even if you don't say anything, if you go along with everything, you're just as guilty sometimes as the people who actually have their hand in the till. Because nothing's going to change. Nothing's going to change with us. We're coming and this time we're coming just as hard as we can because you all have And when I say you all, I mean the ones who've been in office for a very long time. Over 20 years. You all have sat back and you have allowed our city to be in the state that it's in. And trust me, just because we bring in people from Wake Forest and up north and down south and out west and everything, that doesn't mean that this city is growing the way that it should. And what makes it so bad is the ones who have been here the longest. My family's been here since 19- I'm sorry, 1897. 1897 when my grandfather came and helped build some of the first R.J. Reynolds warehouses and tobacco buildings with Mr. R.J. Reynolds himself. Himself. That's how long my family's been here. But my family has been in the United States. It wasn't even called America then. It was still the 13 colonies. So, let me tell you something. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay. And I want you to understand, you all took a oath and I'm only talking to the ones who know I'm talking to. And you all know who I'm talking about. We're not moving. We're going to move this city and we're going to move this city the way it should be moved. Not with all of this back door back pocket stuff. Have a good night. Terrell Harris. Terrell Harris, excuse me. Hey, good evening, everyone. Um >> [clears throat] >> I'm here for two reasons tonight. One of the reasons is to >> Could you state your name and address, please? I'm sorry. Terrell Harris, 2332 Oklahoma Avenue. Um I'm here because I work with an organization Second Shift Corp for Safe Wings and I was just um it was brought to my attention that the program will be ending uh at the end of June, maybe. And we have been on the ground doing the work, but I just want to let everyone know we had a lot of red tape. My team had wonderful ideas, um different ways to help the youth, help the community and we were not allowed to use the budget the way we were supposed to use it. You understand what I'm saying? We were unable to go outside of certain areas. You know, we had a East Winston area, small part of it that we monitored and the data says that it worked, the program with the Cure Violence model. But we were trying to expand and go to different sides of town, trying to get back into the school system because we was there doing the work. And it was working. Like Mr. Peterson said, we were took out of these situations multiple times. That's one of the reasons. The second reason is because we're trying to keep the program that we did over the summer. It was called STARS. We did it with the Juvenile Justice Department. We partnered up with um um the Sheriff Department uh just a whole bunch of us came together. TRJ and we housed the program for the Juvenile Justice Department where we had these same kids that were being in a shooting that just happened. And we were able to help multiple of them. We actually grew the program. We stayed consistent after the program and funding was over with. Me and this brother right here, we still going to Main Street. We going to different schools out of our own pockets and take care of these kids. And we've been consistent with them after the program ended. We kept it up. We had nine of them. We're trying to move to 15, 20. So, we definitely need some help with funding or some type of budget to keep this program going cuz these are the shooters. These are the kids that we're working with. These are the gang members. These are the influencers who are getting our kids younger and younger. So, we're trying to grab them while we can. And we are in the schools working with them. But like I said, the funding keeps running out and they keep stopping us from going in. This happened, that happened. We just want to make the community safe for our kids, our grandkids and the future. That's all. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Harris. Chris Jones. >> [snorts] >> My name is Chris Jones. I live at 400 West 4th Street downtown. Good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak about our growing downtown. I know you guys are all very thoughtful. I grew up here. I've seen Winston-Salem over many years and it's a very thoughtful city. Uh it's also diverse, multicultural with a lot to offer everyone. And what I mean by that is that we don't need to have a raucous outdoor street party bar scene to be a successful downtown. I would like to bring your attention to the issue of sidewalk cafe permit, specifically to bars that don't even serve food. I live on 4th Street, as I said, near the Stevens Center. I'm in I am not in the entertainment district. Several bars below me abuse the rights associated with these permits. These bars foster a street party atmosphere. The door is intentionally propped open, amplifying music outside. Patrons crowd the designated area outdoors and frequently the par- party extends outside the designated area and even onto the street. That atmosphere it further interacts with loitering nearby as well as interaction with cars going up and down the 4th Street strip. And this street party atmosphere occurs throughout the week, but is especially bad Thursday to Saturday. And it is especially bad after 11:00 p.m. After 11:00 p.m., 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Lots [snorts] of screaming, shouting, and foul language is normal. I know you are considering the addition of a downtown amphitheater. I'd like you to consider what happens to the two or three thousand patrons once the show ends. Where do they go? How will they behave? If left unchecked, the street party atmosphere can only get worse. So I ask, should bars be allowed to have a sad sidewalk cafe permit? If they do, should they be restricted to use prior to 11:00 p.m.? Should it be allowed only in the entertainment district? Should they be allowed to incorporate ample food amplified music outside by leaving their door open? Should they be responsible for their patrons' outdoor behavior? And if they violate the city's disturbance ordinances, do they deserve a permit? These bars, such as the Wrong Number, intentionally [clears throat] operate in violation of the current ordinance. Sadly, this conduct is being normalized. In fairness to law enforcement, I think this bad behavior is so widespread, it is now virtually impossible to address by enforcement alone. >> Mr. Jones, your time is up. I know. Calling the non-emergency line is essentially wasted effort. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Your time is up. Cynthia Hurston, please. You got to restart the clock. I know. Oh, Willie Davis is a good one. Try that one. Cynthia Hurston, 1200 Willie Davis Drive. You know the building y'all still trying to put us out of. Good evening. [clears throat] I'm here today because what is happening in our environment, in our community, looks far too much like what happened during Happy Hill. Back then, the city accepted federal checks while our black families lost their home, their land, and their stability. And today, we're watching the same pattern repeat itself in different clothing. I remember when Scipio contacted the employee of a community advocate, uh Ms. Letitia Patterson, and reported her to her boss at United Way, simply because she brought a group of people down here to talk about the conditions in their apartment at Salem Garden. When a person can't even speak about the conditions, when a person can't even raise concern without a council member calling their job, that sends the message your voice is not welcome, >> [sighs] >> unless it's convenient. That is not accountability. That is intimidation. Yeah. And it mirrors the same power of imbalance that has harmed our communities for generations. I also want to talk about Cleveland Homes. The city celebrated receiving funds for that redevelopment. Aspire received funding as well. But since that money came in, residents have been facing eviction left and right. Families who was promised stability are instead being pushed out. People who were told this project would lift the community up >> [cough and laughter] [gasps and sighs] >> are now losing the very homes they were supposed to return to. This is the same pattern we saw during Happy Hill. The city took the money, developer took the money, >> [snorts] >> agencies took the money, and the people, the black family, paid the price. We cannot keep repeating history while pretending it is progress. In April 19, 2021 public meeting, Robert Clark called y'all out. And even though he tried to sugarcoat y'all underhanded doing, >> [snorts] >> he talked about the displacement of resident, the redon- zoning, the fact that y'all cheered and clapped while accepting the 30 million Choice Neighborhood money. Communities are more than just buildings, you see. They are real people. Let that sink in, you hear? >> [snorts] >> They are real people who deserve to be treated equally. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for pointing out the hypocrisy of council members acting for a study on reparation while they are doing the same thing against their own people. That explains why y'all didn't lift a finger to help Ms. Christina. Y'all got y'all hands in the cookie pot. >> [sighs] >> Who wrongly got evicted and y'all played a part in it. Cuz all y'all said y'all was going to do something and then do nothing. And what did y'all do? Shame on all of y'all. Oppression, [snorts] discrimination, y'all are guilty of all of that. And I will be back cuz I ain't stopping until y'all get it right. Thank you. Is there anyone else like to be heard during the public comment section? If you would state your name and address for the record, please. Sir. My name is Adon, A D O N, last name Bay, B E Y. My address is 318 West Corporation Street, Durham, North Carolina. Good evening, everyone. Mayor and council members and community. Uh my name is Adon Bay. Uh I'm a CVI organizer with North Carolinians Against Gun Violence. Uh I'm here today to speak in strong support uh and continued uh expanding of the funding for Forsyth Wins and a comprehensive community violence intervention strategy here in Winston-Salem. Um I want to start with what matters most, results. So in the area where Forsyth Wins is currently operating, what many refer to as the Beat, there has been zero homicides of this year and no serious violent incidents uh during their engagement. That's not theory. That's not a pilot idea. That's real-world impact. The evidence is in the pudding. Forsyth Wins is using community violence intervention model that is working, not just here, but across North Carolina, such as Charlotte with programs like Alternatives to Violence that have shown similar success. These are strategies rooted in trust, relationships, and direct engagement with those most at risk. And right now, you have something special building up here. The county has already committed to 725,000 towards this work, but only if you all as well if you all match it as well. So what we're asking is for you all to invest in this program so that it doesn't just survive, but it grows and thrives. Because sustaining peace is one thing, but expanding it is how you transform a city. And we also have things bigger than one program. What Winston-Salem has opportunity to build here the full CVI ecosystem with Forsyth Wins being the violence interrupters, Atrium Health where we already have a hospital violence intervention program, and all y'all need now is the office of violence prevention. Those three is what creates the ecosystem. As an office of violence prevention would allow you to coordinate violence [music] reduction strategies across the city like house programs, bringing resources, and align efforts across departments, just like we're seeing other places across the state. Now, I understand the city is also exploring its own reduction strategy, including more police involvement, having two-way street, and frameworks like group violence intervention. And I want to be clear, that can work, too. But it has to be done right and it works with CVI, uh community violence intervention. Um so it works when it's together, right? With credible messengers, with outreach workers like you heard earlier today, with support systems like cognitive behavioral therapy. So this is not again either or, it's a both and. So I recommend the National Network for Safer Communities to learn more about uh group violence intervention. Uh they just came to Durham and gave a presentation as we're building our violence reduction plan. Uh so today I ask today is simple, continue funding Forsyth Wins. That 725,000 is very important. Um and also, think about creating an office of violence prevention based in the city. Um so what we have right in front of us is not just a program, it's a proven pathway of reducing violence, saving lives, and building a safer Winston-Salem for everyone. Thank you. Anyone else like to be heard? I see seeing that one I'll declare a public comment period closed and would recognize any council member has a comment or question if or a motion to adjourn. Move for approval. Move for adjournment. Second. Motion to adjourn by Mayor Pro Tem second by Councillor Hall. All them in favor of adjourning please say I. I. Anyone opposed no. We are adjourned.