TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jodi Phelps, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Jennifer Ayre, MMC, City Clerk
DATE: January 26, 2026
RE:Title
Approve City Council Policies Review Committee Recommendations to City Council Policies 120.09, 160.10, and 165.3Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal III: A city invested in Today and Tomorrow
Executive Summary:
The City Council Policies Review Committee met on Thursday, January 15, 2026. During the meeting the Committee unanimously approved revisions to one Council policy.
The Committee Members are: Mayor Pro Tem Derrick Thompson (Chair), Council Member D.J. Haire, and Council Member Stephon Ferguson
Background:
Staff presented City Council Policy 120.09-Public Forum and a new policy 160.10 - School Zones that would replace 165.3. Policy 120.09 was created on January 9, 2006, with revisions in 2006, 2008, 2014, 2023, and 2024. Policy 165.3 was created on February 17, 1986 and never revised. The New recommended policy 160.10 would move the School Zone policy from zoning to streets, traffic and parking.
Issues/Analysis:
City Council Policy 120.-9 - Public Forum
If approved, the Public Forum and Announcements and Recognitions will move from being held during the second Monday during the regular Council Meeting to the first Monday of every month after the Work Sessions. It would create a predetermined end to the Work Session to have the Public Forum and Announcements and Recognitions to begin at 5:15 p.m. The Announcements and Recognitions will be first and then the public forum.
The Public Forum time will be increased from 30 minutes to one hour. Consistent with current standards, no dialogue shall occur, but at the conclusion of the forum, the Mayor, City Manager, or City Attorney may provide rebuttal to any statements.
Speakers will not be required to provide their address at the podium, however, providing address, phone number, and subject matter will still be required to sign up. City Residents will be placed before all non-residents on the sign up sheet.
Additionally, the revisions will only allow sign ups beginning the day after the last public forum and no later than 11:59 p.m. the day before the meeting. If individuals are unable to attend in person written comments can be mailed or emailed to the City Clerk and those comments will be summarized by the Clerk during the meeting.
The 2026 City Council Meeting Dates Calendar will also need to be updated to reflect the date and time changes for the Public Forum and Announcements and Recognitions.
City Council Policy 165.3 - School Zones
This is recommended to be rescinded and replaced with 160.10 - School Zones
Recommended Policy 160.10 - School Zones
Policy 160.10 establishes the City of Fayetteville’s authority and procedures for reducing speed limits in school zones, as granted by North Carolina General Statute § 20-141.1. The policy ensures consistency and uniformity in how school speed zones are created, evaluated, and maintained, in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s “Standard Practice for Establishing a School Speed” (S-14, revised January 15, 2026).
The policy outlines responsibilities among NCDOT, Cumberland County Schools, and the City of Fayetteville for establishing, approving, funding, and maintaining school zones and related equipment. While NCDOT approves school zones for public schools and Cumberland County Schools maintains associated flashers, the City is responsible for school zones not maintained by those entities. The policy also defines cost responsibilities, maintenance obligations, reuse or ownership of equipment, and affirms the City’s right to revise or remove school speed zones and related infrastructure based on changing conditions or roadway improvements.
Budget Impact:
N/A
Options:
1. Approve Council Policy Committee recommended revisions City Council Policies 120.09, 165.3 and 160.10 and update the 2026 City Council Meeting Dates Calendar - Meeting Information.
2. Do not approve Council Policy Committee recommended revisions to City Council Policies 120.09, 165.3 and 160.10
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Approve Council Policy Committee recommended revisions City Council Policies 120.09, 165.3 and 160.10 update the 2026 City Council Meeting Dates Calendar - Meeting Information.
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Attachments:
City Council Policy 120.09
Proposed Revised City Council Policy 120.09
City Council Policy 165.3
Proposed Revised City Council Policy 165.3
Proposed City Council Policy 160.10
Updated 2026 City Council Meeting Dates Calendar