City of Greensboro Meeting Minutes - Final

City Council Work Session

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Plaza Level Conference Room
300 West Washington Street
Greensboro, NC
Present:
  • Mayor Nancy Vaughan, 
  • Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson, 
  • Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter, 
  • Councilmember Sharon Hightower, 
  • Councilmember Nancy Hoffmann, 
  • Councilmember Hugh Holston, 
  • Councilmember Zack Matheny, 
  • Councilmember Tammi Thurm, 
  • and and Councilmember Goldie Wells 
Also Present:
  • City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba, 
  • City Attorney Chuck Watts, 
  • and and Deputy City Clerk Victoria Howell 

A.

  

These City Council Work Session minutes are a general account of the November 16, 2023 meeting. For full details of discussions, the meeting video can be located on the City of Greensboro website at https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/government/city-council/council-meetings.

This City Council work session of the City of Greensboro was called to order at 2:00 p.m. on the above date.

Mayor Vaughan took a roll call to confirm Councilmembers in attendance.

B.

  

Assistant City Manager Trey Davis introduced the item; and recognized staff for PowerPoint Presentation (PPP).

Guilford Metro Director, Melaine Jones made a PPP; spoke to call volume and radio coverage; to changes in the North Carolina State Fire Code; to trends; highlighted the State 911 Board; spoke to career opportunities; explained texting capabilities; and to Rapid SOS.

Discussion took place regarding recruitment; and staff vacancies.

Greensboro Fire Department Chief Jim Robinson continued the PPP; spoke to expansions; to State Mandated Fire inspections; highlighted educational efforts; night inspections; community outreach and engagement; spoke to inspection completion rates; to recruitment; and to code violations.

Discussion continued regarding future growth; annexations; equity of service; timelines; and infrastructure.

Senior Assistant City Attorney, Andrea Harrell continued the PPP; spoke to Legislative changes; to City ordinances; to mobile food vendors; to homeless feeding procedures; and to enforcement of City ordinances.

Councilmember Hightower requested staff to schedule a work session regarding City ordinances; and include Secretary Eddie M. Buffalow Jr. 

Discussion ensued regarding entertainment ordinances.

Community Safety Manager, Latisha McNeil continued the PPP; spoke to the programs' first year; to a Law Enforcement Assistance Diversion (LEAD) hire and Violence Prevention Coordinator; to the Behavorial Health Response Team (BHRT); to community partners; to a Cities United Roadmap Academy; to mental health services; to youth support; to treatment services; and to intensive case management referrals.

Ms. McNeil continued the PPP; spoke to call response; to the unsheltered; highlighted projected data; and caseloads.

Councilmember Thurm requested staff to discuss homeless funding with Guilford County; and homeless population partnerships. 

Discussion took place regarding the Continuum of Care (CoC); case management; increasing BHRT staff; and community outreach.

Mayor Vaughan requested staff to look into expanding the BHRT staff; and include nights and weekend schedules.  

Greensboro Police Department (GPD) Chief, John Thompson continued the PPP; spoke to police recruitment and retention; to current vacancies; to equipment changes; to the police academy; to the Take Home Car Program; to policy changes; provided violent crimes data; spoke to firearms seized; to violent offenders; to homicides; spoke to the challenges; to an increase in various crimes; to a pilot program; to a departmental reorganization; to a national public safety partnership; to Community violence intervention and prevention initiative; and to GPD Headquarters renovations.

Councilmember Matheny left the meeting at 3:22 p.m. and returned to the meeting at 3:26 p.m.

Discussion took place regarding Guilford County Schools partnerships; School Resource Officer's (SRO's); engagement and transparency; a Social Media Manager; community connectors; GCJAC policy and sentinel review; and GPD take home cars.

Councilmember Matheny requested staff to provide a take home car heat map. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Johnson left the meeting at 3:56 p.m. and returned to the meeting at 3:59 p.m.

Councilmember Abuzuaiter left the meeting at 4:01 p.m.

Discussion ensued regarding shoplifting; gang interactions; gun crimes; and Police officer vacancies.

(A copy of the PowerPoint Presentation is filed in Exhibit Drawer F, No. 44, which is hereby referred to and made a part of these minutes.)

C.

  

Moved by Councilmember Matheny, seconded by Councilmember Holston, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by affirmation.

The City Council Adjourned at 4:21 p.m.

 

___________________________                        ____________________________

Nancy Vaughan, Mayor                                        Victoria L. Howell, Deputy City Clerk