City of Greensboro Meeting Minutes - Final

City Council Special

Thursday, February 02, 2023 at 8:30 A.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Theme: Making Greensboro a Winning City for Generations to Come

Revolution Mill - Color Works Meeting Space - Room 1

1000 Revolution Mill Drive, GSO

Present:

• Mayor Nancy Vaughan, 
• Councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter, 
• Councilmember Sharon Hightower, 
• Councilmember Nancy Hoffmann, 
• Councilmember Hugh Holston, 
• Councilmember Zack Matheny, 
• Councilmember Tammi Thurm, 
• and and Councilmember Goldie Wells 

Absent:

• Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson 

Also Present:

• City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba, 
• Deputy City Manager Chris Wilson, 
• City Attorney Chuck Watts, 
• City Clerk Angela Lord, 
• and Deputy City Clerk Tebony Rosa 

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A.

Breakfast

The Greensboro City Council convened at 8:30 a.m. for a pre-meeting breakfast.

B.

Call to Order

This City Council Strategy Session of the City of Greensboro was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on the above date in the Color Works Meeting Space of Revolution Mill.

Mayor Vaughan conducted a roll call to confirm Councilmembers in attendance; referenced the absence of Mayor Pro-Tem Yvonne Johnson; and stated Councilmember Zack Matheny would participate via Zoom.

B.1

9:00 am – 9:15am Introduction, Welcome and Opening Thoughts 

Mayor Vaughan spoke to Revolution Mill renovations; and recognized City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba.

City Manager Jaiyeoba made a PowerPoint Presentation (PPP); provided an overview of the 2021-2022 City Council Strategic Goals; spoke to crime reduction; to sustainability efforts; to equitable investments; to recycling improvements; to long-term goals; and recognized Budget and Evaluation Director, Jon Decker.

Mr. Decker continued the PPP; spoke to housing initiatives; to bonds; to fund balances; to alternative transportation means; and to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) metrics.

(A copy of the PowerPoint Presentation is filed in Exhibit Drawer F, No. 5, which is hereby referred to and made a part of these minutes.)

C.

Ceremonial and/or Presentations

C.1

9:15 am – 9:30 am – SIR Introduction– Rachel Yost, Managing Partner, SIR Institute for Tomorrow 

Note: Topics for C.1 and C.2 minutes combined in the section.

City Manager Jaiyeoba recognized Strategy, Insight, Results (SIR) Managing Partner, Rachel Yost.

Ms. Yost made a PPP; highlighted market research; forecasting; branding; legacy creation; and traits of an effective City Council. 

Councilmember Holston entered the meeting at 9:18 a.m.

Ms. Yost reviewed traits of an effective council; spoke to defining responsibilities; to Bob O’Neill’s “Six Roles”; to setting policy; highlighted the need for consistent and clear direction; and opened the floor for setting policy discussions.

Discussion took place regarding updating ordinances; informed decisions; unintended consequences; policy effectiveness; legal limitations; staff leverages; community feedback and communications; silo operations; clarification of Council roles; and the need for creativity and collaboration.

Ms. Yost referenced barriers for Council; spoke to representation of constituents and stakeholders; and to an effective balance of Districts.

Discussion continued regarding a strong District representation; a One GSO concept; duplication of efforts; district themes; initiatives and programs; disparities and inequities; the need for focused investments; and goal achievement.

Ms. Yost referenced engaging community; stakeholder participation; and spoke to engagement opportunities.

Discussion took place regarding closing the loop; the need for additional communication and responsiveness; the importance of staff feedback; the need for Boards and Commissions participation; clarity on Council actions to the community; building trust; town hall events; and quality customer service.

Ms. Yost continued the presentation; and led discussions regarding Fiduciary definitions; and ethical obligations.

Council discussed fair and equitable responsibilities; zoning challenges; accountability, transparency and collaboration; and investment and infrastructure needs.

Ms. Yost spoke to providing oversight; and to performance dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Discussion took place regarding the budget simulator; community education; policy follow through; and staff reports.

Ms. Yost reviewed setting direction; spoke to vision, action, and movement; to priorities; to resident engagement; and to agenda and direction setting.

Discussion continued regarding vision; strategies; long range goals; big picture framework; urgency of daily concerns; the Mobility 2040 Plan; the need to build jobs and infrastructure; the Legislative Agenda; and tax-based growth.

Ms. Yost highlighted trust; setting and following policy; representation of One GSO; community engagement to include surveys and workshops; fiduciary responsibility; code of ethics; performance dashboard oversight; and vision, goals, and action framework strategies.

(The PowerPoint Presentation referenced in the minutes from SIR, Rachel Yost was not made available as an exhibit due to proprietary information.)

C.1.1

Topic #1: Strategically Managing the Issue You Are Facing Today

C.1.2

Topic #2: Inside: Making Greensboro Municipal Government a Best Place to Work

C.1.3

Topic #3: Making Greensboro a Winning City for Generations to Come

C.2

9:30 am - 10:30 am Traits of Effective City Councils: 6 Defining Responsibilities 

Note:  Minutes were included in previous section.

C.3

10:30 am – 10:45 am Break 

Mayor Vaughan declared a recess at 10:30 a.m.

Council reconvened at 10:45 a.m. with all members in attendance except for Mayor Pro-Tem Johnson.

C.4

10:45 am – 11:10 am – Topic #1 - Strategically Managing the Issues You Are Facing Today

C.4.1

What Our Constituents Want - April Albritton, City of Greensboro

Assistant to the City Manager, April Albritton made a PPP; referenced a review of constituent needs; a community survey and listening tour; TransPro data; town halls and "Talk with Tai" events; provided an overview of the City of Greensboro Mission and Vision statements; community connections; spoke to listening tour themes; provided an overview of survey stats; and focus area ranking.

Ms. Albritton continued the presentation; reviewed key driver analysis; a ZenCity customizable platform; and priorities and goals.

Discussion ensued regarding National Night Out (NNO); refugee community inclusion; staff involvement at NNO events; upcoming International Advisory Community elections; and framework development.

Ms. Yost emphasized key priorities. 

Ms. Albritton reviewed an alignment of Council priorities; and diverse cross-sections of Greensboro.

Discussion continued regarding youth input; High School level engagement opportunities; business leader and developer involvement; affordable housing; college student retention; amenity options; job opportunities; the Boomerang program, Action Greensboro; and engaging community.

C.5

11:10 - 12:15 pm - Priority Setting - City Council

Ms. Yost explained the item; and spoke to sharing priorities.

Mayor Vaughan spoke to public safety; and to health, safety and welfare of the unsheltered.

Councilmember Abuzuaiter echoed concerns regarding public safety; spoke to a safe city; to housing; and to employee salaries. 

Councilmember Hightower highlighted economic well-being; quality of life; crime and violence; spoke to recidivism rates; to housing affordability; and to equitable access.

Councilmember Holston referenced economic development and opportunities; residency attractions; spoke to housing and growth; to public safety; and to a city-based reputation. 

Councilmember Thurm spoke to local business support; to a yes-we-can culture; and to expediated services.

Councilmember Hoffmann emphasized a streamlined development process; spoke to creative residential design; and to the need to change processes.

Councilmember Matheny highlighted collaborative Economic Development and Council-staff partnerships; employee direction and goals; and to respect and relation with residents.

Councilmember Wells echoed concerns with public safety and housing; spoke to the underserved; to workforce concerns; to high density; to rental fees; to fixed incomes; expressed concerns with minority contractor funding; with national policing issues; affordable housing and well-paying jobs.

Discussion ensued regarding systemic racism; Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE); Toyota and Boom employment opportunities; the need for equal socio-economic status; equitable investments; identification of underserved and redlining areas; a One Greensboro concept; revenue opportunities; tax increases; local venues and attractions; Greensboro Business Leaders (GBL) collaborations; the need for city-wide investments; peer cities diversified revenue streams; historical and societal issues; tax base growth; impact data with job announcements; and inclusion of East Greensboro on outside entity websites.

C.6

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm - Lunch 

Mayor Vaughan declared a recess at 12:15 p.m.

Council reconvened at 1:00 p.m. with all Council members in attendance except for Mayor Pro-Tem Johnson.

C.7

1:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Priority Setting - Continuation 

Ms. Yost continued conversations on priority setting; spoke to consistent themes; to City Council roles; and to implementation.

Discussion took place regarding housing price points; policy creation; redevelopment properties; land trust; neighborhood characteristics; serviceable areas; a communication campaign; density zoning laws; a streamlined zoning process; a cultural change; local construction and builder trade employment; state regulations; incentive opportunities; water tap-in fees; developer economic incentives; focused policies and implementation; public purposes; and local preference policies. 

Councilmember Thurm inquired about a timeline for an options package framework to which City Manager Jaiyeoba explained a goal for a one-week turnaround for parameters.

Discussion continued regarding minority barriers; gentrification issues; displacement policies; and neighborhood stabilization. 

Ms. Yost highlighted partnerships between City Council and Administration; and asked Council to expound on their role in public safety.

Discussions ensued regarding the range of public safety extending outside of law enforcement; property condemnation; personnel shortages and compensation; market studies; defining public safety; street lighting audits; the proposed Greensboro Legislative Agenda; relationship building with law enforcement; support of non-profit organizations; the community desire for safety; and electronic traffic monitors.

Discussion continued regarding Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson's innovation ideas; youth crimes; creative youth interactive engagement opportunities; partnerships with mentoring groups; infrastructure prioritization; and a car optional city.

C.8

2:15 pm – 2:30 pm –Break

Mayor Vaughan declared a recess at 2:26 p.m.

Council reconvened at 2:35 p.m. with all members in attendance except for Mayor Pro-Tem Johnson.

C.9

2:30 pm – 3:45 pm – Topic #2 - Inside City Hall: Making Greensboro's Municipal Government a Best Place to Work

Ms. Yost continued the PPP; highlighted Inside City Hall operations; external forces for being an ‘employer of choice’; spoke to job openings; to low labor rate participation; to the quiet quitting phenomenon; to fair wages; and outlined the 5 Forces of Change:

1. CV-19, Social justice
2. Generational mindset – millennials vs boomers vs Gen Zers
3. Economic Awareness – wealth gap; working poor; college debt; fading American Dream
4. Decreasing health – millennials less healthy (migraines/behavioral health conditions/IBS/prediabetes)
5. Increasing number of flexible work options – remote jobs; GIG Economy

City Council engaged in discussion regarding mental health days; work life balance; productivity; physical health focuses; work from home concerns; a shrinking employment base; a benefit package restructure; flexible work schedules and efficiency; departmental philosophy; expectations of employee services to residents and the business community; the need for accountability; compensation comparisons; retention methods; being a City and Employer of Choice; essential workers; management trainings for hybrid employees; and the need for personal interactions.

C.9.1

What's Happening with America's Workforce and Workplace?

Ms. Yost spoke to consolidated City Halls; and to a one-stop shop concept.

Discussion continued regarding departmental productivity and customer service; a hybrid model; government functionality; flexible work schedules; talent attraction; the need for employee accountability and responsiveness; and equitable remote challenges. 

C.10

3:45 pm – 4:10 pm - The Power of Purpose & Vision

Ms. Yost continued the PPP; spoke to The Power of Purpose and Vision; and provided various private corporate examples.

Councilmember Holston left the meeting at 3:48 p.m.; and returned at 3:51 p.m.

Discussion took place regarding the City of Greensboro vision statement; memorable compact statements; the Greensboro 2040 Comp Plan; a "best midsize City in the South" slogan; the need for repetition; and a "most desirable City to live in the Southeast" slogan.

C.11

4:10 pm – 4:15 pm - Recap Day 1 and Review Day 2 Agenda

Ms. Yost outlined topics for the following day strategy session; and spoke to purpose and vision into action.

Councilmember Abuzuaiter spoke to deficiencies; and to  dentification of improvement areas.

C.12

4:15 - 5:30pm - Dynamic Exercise: A Vision for Greensboro 

Ms. Albritton explained the exercise; recognized local artists to assist with the project; and stated the project would be signed by Council members.

D.

Adjournment

Moved by Councilmember Wells, seconded by Councilmember Abuzuaiter, to adjourn the Special meeting. The motion carried by voice vote. 

The City Council Adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

 

___________________________                        ____________________________

Nancy Vaughan, Mayor                                           Angela Lord, City Clerk