On the agenda: Fuquay Varina minutes — automated license plate (Sep 22)

Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting Minutes
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Fuquay-Varina Town Board Meeting
September 22, 2026

William H. Harris Mayor
Marilyn Gardner, Mayor Pro-Tem
Charlie Adcock, Commissioner
Bryan Haynes, Commissioner
Kristopher Vorren, Commissioner
Larry Smith - Commissioner
Adam G. Mitchell, Town Manager
Mark D. Matthews, Assistant Town Manager
James (Jim) E. Seymour, Assistant Town Manager
Teresa Wilder, Town Clerk
James S. Adcock, III, Town Attorney

The Regular Meeting of the Fuquay-Varina Town
Board scheduled for September 22, 2026, at
7:00 p.m. was held at the Fuquay-Varina Town
Hall, 134 N Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Mayor William Harris, Mayor Pro-Tem Marilyn Gardner, and Commissioners Charlie
Adcock, Bryan Haynes, Kristopher Vorren, and Larry Smith were in attendance. Also
present were Town Manager Adam Mitchell, Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews,
Assistant Town Manager Jim Seymour, Town Attorney James Adcock, Town Clerk Teresa
Wilder, IT Director Scott Clark, and other department directors.

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
Commissioner Larry Smith provided the invocation; Commissioner Kristopher Vorren led
the Pledge of Allegiance.

VIRTUAL MEETING PROTOCOL
Town Manager Adam Mitchell reviewed the meeting protocol, noting that the meeting was
both in person and live-streamed on the Town’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

3A

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The September 22, 2026, Town Board of Commissioners Regularly Scheduled Meeting.
MOTION:

Commissioner Vorren

SECOND:

Commissioner Smith

MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0)

PRESENTATIONS
4A

Introduction of New Police Department K-9 and Oath of Office
Purpose – To introduce the new police K-9 and for Chief Tim Smith to administer the
K-9 Oath of Office.
Chief Smith introduced the newest K-9, Jett.
In March 2026, the Police Department received a $7,500 grant from the AKC Reunite
Program. This funding was used to purchase K-9 Jett, who is replacing the retired K-9
Dash. Dash retired in March 2026 after 8.5 years of dedicated service to the Town of
Fuquay-Varina and its community.
K-9 Jett is a 1-year and 5-month-old German Shepherd from the Netherlands.
Corporal Matthew Jeslis and K-9 Jett recently completed K-9 School at Orchard Knoll

K-9 and have earned certification from the International Police Working Dog
Association (IPWDA).
Police Chief Smith announced that he is thrilled to welcome K-9 Jett and looks
forward to the contributions he will make to the Town of Fuquay-Varina and its
community. The Department's K-9 Program enhances the professional services
provided to the residents of Fuquay-Varina. Both K-9 teams are trained to track
individuals, search for items such as evidence and lost property, detect narcotics in
vehicles, buildings, and open areas, and apprehend violent offenders.
Police Chief Tim Smith administered the K-9 Oath of Office to K-9 Jett.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
5A

The following spoke regarding the proposed zoning map amendment for 417 & 419
Raleigh Street:
Eric Christofferson, 504 E. Academy Street
Beth Holleman, 309 Raleigh Street
Will Weiss, 416 Raleigh Street
Scott Griffin, 107 S. Ennis Street
Rebecca Toy, 310 Raleigh Street
Jim Hunsberger, 508 E. Academy Street
The following spoke regarding the No-Parking Ordinance in North Lakes Subdivision:
David Bubnoski, 3450 Fontana Lake Drive
The following spoke on the Hilltop Needmore Town Park:
Steve Guastaferro, 5516 Brushy Meadows Drive

The following spoke regarding the automated license plate reader cameras, also
known as Flock cameras:
Matt Auchtung, 501 Highrock Lake Road
Mayor Harris reiterated the purpose of the public comment guidelines, assuring
attendees that the Town Board listens to and values their comments, concerns, and
feedback. He thanked everyone who attended and spoke during the public comment
period.

ITEMS PREVIOUSLY TABLED
6A

Zoning Map Amendment - M/I Homes of Raleigh, LLC - 0, 6921, & a portion of 6823
Sunset Lake Road - PINs 0667674582, 0667681140 & a portion of 0667589880 REZ-2025-18 - ITEM TO BE TABLED
Purpose – To consider a requested zoning map amendment for a total of 27.63 acres,
located at 0, 6921 & a portion of 6823 Sunset Lake Road from the Residential Medium
Density Conditional Zoning District (RMD-CZD) to the Planned Unit Development
(PUD) Zoning District.
Public Hearing – The public hearing was previously opened and closed on August 18,
2026.
Discussion – There was no discussion from members of the Town Board regarding
this matter.
Recommendation – Table consideration of REZ-2025-18, a zoning map amendment
for 0, 6921 & a portion of 6823 Sunset Lake Road from the Residential Medium

Density Conditional Zoning District (RMD-CZD) to the Planned Unit Development
(PUD) Zoning District, to the October 5, 2026, Town Board meeting per the request of
the petitioner.
MOTION:

Commissioner Haynes

SECOND:

Commissioner Smith

MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0)

6B

Zoning Map Amendment - Wayne Mauldin, Mauldin-Watkins Surveying, PA - 417 &
419 Raleigh Street - PINs 0666173158 & 0666174128 - REZ-2026-11 - ITEM TO BE
TABLED
Purpose – To consider a requested zoning map amendment for a total of 0.414 acres,
located at 417 & 419 Raleigh Street, from the Residential Low Density (RLD) Zoning
District to the Town Center Residential (TCR) Zoning District.
Public Hearing – The public hearing was previously opened and closed on August 18,
2026.
Discussion – There was no discussion from members of the Town Board regarding
this matter.
Recommendation – Table consideration of REZ-2026-11, a zoning map amendment
for 417 & 419 Raleigh Street, from the Residential Low Density (RLD) Zoning District
to the Town Center Residential (TCR) Zoning District, to the October 5, 2026, Town
Board meeting per the request of the petitioner.

MOTION:

Commissioner Vorren

SECOND:

Commissioner Smith

MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0)

PUBLIC HEARINGS
7A

There are no public hearings for the September 22, 2026, Town Board meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA
8A.

Utility Allocation Request - Madden West Subdivision
Purpose - To consider a Utility Allocation Request for the Madden West Subdivision.
Recommendation - Approve the recommended utility allocation request for the
Madden West Subdivision, as presented and recommended.

8B.

Special Event Application and Amplified Sound Permit Request - FVHS Band
Boosters - 37th Festival of Bands - October 17, 2026
Purpose - To consider approval of a special event application and amplified sound
permit request for the FVHS Band Boosters' 37th Festival of Bands event, scheduled
for Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Recommendation – Approve the special event application and amplified sound
permit request for the FVHS Band Boosters' 37th Festival of Bands event scheduled
for October 17, 2026, as presented and recommended.

8C.

Voluntary Annexation Petition - Town of Fuquay-Varina, 980 Wilbon Road - PIN
0657231047 - ANX-2026-05
Purpose – To consider the adoption of a resolution instructing the Deputy Town Clerk
to investigate an annexation petition and adopt a resolution setting a public hearing
for October 5, 2026, following the receipt of a petition for voluntary annexation of
property owned by the Town of Fuquay-Varina, properties containing a total of
approximately 1.5 acres.
Recommendation - Adopt the resolution instructing the Deputy Town Clerk to
investigate the voluntary annexation petition and adopt the resolution setting the
public hearing for October 5, 2026, for properties owned by the Town of FuquayVarina - ANX-2026-05 as presented and recommended.
Resolution No. 26-1994
Resolution No. 26-1995

8D.

Roadway Fee-In-Lieu - Guthrie's Fuquay-Varina
Purpose – To consider approval of a Roadway Fee-In-Lieu payment for improvements
related to the Guthrie's Fuquay-Varina Project in the amount of $21,420.
Recommendation - Approve a total of $21,420 as a fee-in-lieu payment for roadway
improvements associated with the Guthrie's Fuquay-Varina Project, as presented
and recommended.

8E.

Speed Limit Reduction Ordinance - Bridge Street from Northwest Judd Parkway to
NC 42
Purpose – To consider concurrence with an NCDOT ordinance reducing the speed
limit on Bridge Street (SR 1179) from 35 mph to 25 mph between Northwest Judd
Parkway and NC 42 (W. Academy Street).
Recommendation - Concur with an NCDOT ordinance reducing the speed limit on
Bridge Street (SR 1179) from 35 mph to 25 mph between Northwest Judd Parkway (SR
6108) and NC 42 (W. Academy Street).

Ordinance No. M-26-07

A motion was made to approve all Consent Agenda Items 8A – 8E.
MOTION:

Commissioner Haynes

SECOND:

Commissioner Adcock

MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0)

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT
9A

There were no items removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
10A

Google Fiber Master Encroachment Agreement
Purpose – To approve a Master Encroachment Agreement between the Town of
Fuquay-Varina and Google Fiber North Carolina, LLC and authorize the Town
Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the Town.

Staff Comments – Engineering Director Matt Poling submitted the agenda abstract
and supporting documents to the Town's official record. He then presented the
attached staff report.
Discussion – Mayor Harris asked about the process and responsibility for relocating
facilities. Engineering Director Poling clarified that during roadway-widening
projects, staff would notify Google Fiber of a specific deadline to relocate their
facilities at Google Fiber's expense.
Mayor Harris asked if the same relocation process applies to water, sewer, or road
construction projects. Engineering Director Poling confirmed that the standard
notification and deadline procedures remain consistent across all these projects.
Assistant Town Manager Mark Matthews added that while this is the usual protocol
for project relocations, the Town has the authority to remove facilities immediately in
case of a public emergency, such as a washed-out road.
Commissioner Smith expressed concerns about utility companies failing to restore
landscaping to its original condition after repairs. He asked whether liability for
property damage extends to landscaping or is limited only to structures. Engineering
Director Poling confirmed that landscaping is included, explaining that restoring
grass takes time. Town Manager Mitchell added that the Town follows different
procedures depending on whether the work takes place in a Town-managed right-ofway or in a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) right-of-way,
noting that the Town has no control over NCDOT public right-of-ways.
Commissioner Vorren asked whether the encroachment agreements for Google
Fiber are standard compared to those used in other municipalities. Engineering
Director Poling explained that Google Fiber does not have the same statutory

protections as traditional telecommunications providers. Town Attorney Adcock
clarified that while older monopolies enjoy significant statutory protection, newer
companies like Google Fiber do not qualify for these protections. As a result, the
Town can require a master encroachment agreement. Town Attorney Adcock
confirmed that he has reviewed agreements from other municipalities to incorporate
favorable terms into the Fuquay-Varina agreement.
Recommendation - 1) Approve the Master Encroachment Agreement between the
Town of Fuquay-Varina and Google Fiber North Carolina, LLC; and 2) Authorize the
Town Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the Town.
MOTION:

Commissioner Smith

SECOND:

Mayor Pro-Tem Gardner

MOTION RESULTS: Passed Unanimously (5-0)

OTHER BUSINESS
11.A

Manager’s Report
Town Manager Mitchell gave the following additional updates:
o Police Department - Telecommunicator Hannah Abreu has successfully
advanced in her career and has been promoted to Telecommunicator IV. Officer
Gralen Starling has also moved up the ranks and has been promoted to Corporal.
Telecommunicator Elizabeth Martin and Master Officer Patrick Dercola were
honored with the 2026 Local Hero's Award at the Local Hero's event on
September 15, 2026, held at Wake Chapel Church. Additionally, Master Officer

Braxton Trenum has obtained his Intermediate Certificate from the North
Carolina Criminal Justice and Training Standards Commission.
This week marks the beginning of the Governor's Highway Safety Program's Child
Passenger Safety Campaign, which runs from Monday, September 21, 2026, to
Sunday, September 27, 2026. This annual statewide initiative aims to educate
parents and caregivers about the proper ways to secure children in vehicles. The
police department has several certified child safety seat technicians available to
assist with the correct installation of child safety seats. The public is encouraged
to visit the Police Department for help.
Today, September 22, 2026, is Operation Clear Track. This national campaign, in
partnership with Amtrak and Operation Lifesaver, raises awareness about
railroad crossing safety and the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks.
o Fire Department - Firefighter II Michael Conniff was honored with the 2026 Local
Hero's Award at the Local Hero's event held on September 15, 2026, at Wake
Chapel Church.
On September 18, 2026, the department hosted the second annual "Fire Runner
Breakfast" at Fire Station #4 for all retirees and former members of the fire
department. Nearly 70 current and former firefighters attended, sharing endless
stories and laughter. Everyone enjoyed their time together and expressed
eagerness for next year's event.
Additionally, Captain Brandon Mason, Senior Firefighter Nicholas Holeman, and
Firefighter II Riley Prince participated in the inaugural Emergency Responder Peer
Support training course at the Garner Fire Department on September 9 and 10,
2026. Plans are in place for advanced training, with FVPD Peer Support personnel

expected to establish a local team dedicated to providing ongoing emotional
wellness support for first responders.
o Public Works Department - Raul Feliciano and Brian Craft have successfully
obtained their Class A Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). With this
achievement, the entire Street Department now has a total of 7 Class A CDLs and
9 Class B CDLs. This level of qualification provides critical redundancy and allows
for greater flexibility in allocating work and responding to various situations.
o Parks and Recreation - Winter youth basketball registration for residents is now
open. Space is limited, so please register early. Non-resident registration will
begin on September 28, 2026. Practices start the week of November 30, 2026,
and games will begin the week of December 14, 2026.
o Arts Center – Fall classes are currently in full swing. This weekend, the theatre will
host the community production of "1776." Additionally, "Beatlesque" will return
on October 10, 2026. Furthermore, the Arts Center staff are organizing the Artists'
Village at Celebrate FV, which will feature 41 local artists.
o Inspections Department – The downtown demolition project at 101 N Main Street
is on schedule, with an anticipated completion by mid-October. Several field
inspectors, including Graham Baucom, Steven Kurbansade, and Justin Daniel,
are taking certification courses over the next couple of weeks.
o Public Utilities - Michael Buglion has been promoted to Water Distribution
Operator III. William Harris (not the Mayor) has achieved the third milestone in his
apprenticeship program credentialing.
o Engineering Department – Engineering and the IT Department are launching a new
submittal portal on Monday, September 28, 2026, that will streamline all

engineering-related development submissions, including encroachments,
erosion control, stormwater management, and floodplain management.
o Economic Development – The Economic Development Department will conduct
a business survey to collect information necessary for creating the Town's
upcoming Economic Development Strategic Plan. This survey will soon be
accessible online and on social media.
o Downtown Development - Samantha Darlington, the Town's new Downtown
Development Manager, started in her new role today, and we look forward to
introducing her at a future Town Board meeting.
o Communications - Communications Director Susan Weis attended the CityCounty Communications & Marketing Conference in Denver from September 9 to
11, 2026. The Town of Fuquay-Varina received two awards in the SAVVY
competition, which featured over 1,200 entries across 37 categories: an
Excellence Award for the "In the Wilds of Fuquay-Varina" State of the Town video
and a Silver Award for the Fire Service Centennial video.
The Town's Instagram account has reached its goal of 10,000 followers, up from
5,000 followers in early 2023. Alex Baumann, the Communications & Marketing
Coordinator, played a key role in achieving this milestone.
A recent announcement about new restaurants coming to the Gold Leaf Shopping
Center drew significant attention, garnering over 300,000 views in the first 24
hours, along with 1,800 likes and more than 700 comments. This post attracted
300 new followers to the Town's social media account. The comments were
mostly positive, with residents expressing excitement about the upcoming dining
options.

Additionally, Communications Director Susan Weis will be honored this coming
Friday as part of Cary Magazine's Women of Western Wake, which annually
recognizes five women for their leadership, accomplishments, and impact on
Western Wake County.
o Town Manager Mitchell announced that the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup will
be at Town Hall on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
o Town Manager Mitchell announced that the community saw a fantastic turnout
for the Town’s recent events, including the FM2FV Concert featuring the Band of
Oz, the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 National Day of Remembrance, the
International Cultural Festival, the Food Truck Rodeo, and the Chamber of
Commerce Annual Meeting.
11.B

FM2FV Concert - Smile- Thursday September 10, 2026 - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Centennial Park

11.C Celebrate Fuquay-Varina - Thursday Night Concert - Liquid Pleasure - Varina District
(Broad Street) - Thursday, October 1, 2026 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
11.D Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival - Downtown Fuquay - Saturday October 3, 2026 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
11.E

Coffee with a Cop - Target - 3200 Gold Ring Road - Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:00 am - 10:00 am

11.F

Zoning Map Amendment & Land Use Plan Amendment - WakeMed Health &
Hospital, Inc. - 6126 Dwight Rowland Road - PIN 0677761424 - REZ-2026-08 - (FIRST
READING) - (Ward)

Commissioner Vorren inquired whether the zoning of the property on Dwight Roland
Road was influenced by the layout of the lots. Town Manager Mitchell confirmed
that this was indeed the case and mentioned that connectivity from Fuquay-Varina
Parkway will be extended in the future.
11.G Zoning Map Amendment - Gemstone Homes, LLC - 602 & 606 S Main Street - PINs
0656952194 & 0656952085 - REZ-2026-09 - (FIRST READING) - (Ward)

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Commissioner Haynes reported on several recent highlights in the community. He began by
praising the Food Truck Rodeo event and commended the Sanitation and Street
Departments for ensuring that all equipment was clean and safe for children. He also
attended the first DECA Club meeting at Willow Springs High School, where he noted that
the club currently has over 40 members with a goal to double that number. Commissioner
Haynes recommended that the Mayor's Wellness Council consider adding a high school
representative, emphasizing the active involvement of the current DECA President in the
Teen Council. Additionally, he highlighted the club's interest in learning about local
economic development and business recruitment. Lastly, he shared his enjoyment of the
FM2FV concerts, the Chamber Annual Meeting, and the Local Heroes Breakfast, where he
recognized and commended those honored for their dedicated service.
Commissioner Adcock praised the Town for the demolition work completed at 101 N. Main
Street. He pointed out that the removal of the surrounding structures emphasizes the
Adorned Furniture building, formerly known as Cotton's Furniture. He stated that this
building showcases a unique "old downtown" character that stands out in comparison to
the neighboring buildings.

Commissioner Smith emphasized that the Town Board's primary responsibility is to monitor
community feedback to understand how decisions impact residents. In response to recent
criticisms of the Town Manager, he clarified that, while the Town Board directly supervises
the Manager, it retains final decision-making authority over all policies and actions. He
expects the Town Manager to present both identified issues and proposed solutions for the
Board's consideration. Finally, Commissioner Smith expressed his full confidence in Town
Manager Mitchell, stating he would give him an "excellent" performance rating and
commending his dedication and proactive communication.
Commissioner Vorren expressed his gratitude to the Raleigh Street neighbors for their
respectful dialogue and highlighted the productive meeting between residents and the
developer. He sought clarification regarding the specific request to deny rezoning, noting
that the primary concern seems to be the lot setbacks. He also showed support for
considering a stakeholder committee to address TCR zoning. On the topic of Flock cameras,
he recognized the need to balance privacy concerns with the utility of these tools for law
enforcement. Additionally, he addressed the upcoming ballot initiative, expressing concern
that a constitutional amendment could restrict property tax revenue. He warned that such
a change might affect essential services like police, fire, and parks. Commissioner Vorren
urged voters to consider the long-term consequences of the proposal.
Mayor Pro-Tem Gardner expressed her gratitude to the Town Board for their dedication and
the behind-the-scenes efforts they put in. Regarding the proposed constitutional
amendment, she urged caution, emphasizing that the current constitution has a long history
of stability. She recommended exploring alternative solutions before making any changes
that are not strictly necessary. Additionally, she highlighted her long-standing advocacy for
the arts, praising the Town's commitment to providing access to arts and humanities,
particularly through the Arts Center's scholarship programs for youth. Finally, she thanked
the public for their input and acknowledged the decision to table certain items for further
review.

Mayor Harris shared that he received a letter of appreciation from Robin E. Tabal regarding
the Town's 9/11 ceremony. He noted that many topics discussed during tonight's meeting
were also addressed at the recent NC Mayors Association conference. Regarding public
safety, he requested that the Police Chief present information on Flock cameras to the
Town Board at a future meeting. Mayor Harris also mentioned the positive feedback
received from the Local Heroes breakfast and discussed his participation in the
International Festival. Additionally, he stressed the importance of educating the public
about the Town's governance structure, particularly concerning the Council's decisionmaking authority, and clarified the distinct roles of the Mayor and Town Manager. This is to
ensure that residents have a clear understanding of how the Town operates. Lastly, he
announced that John Deere Turf Care will celebrate the production of its one-millionth
machine tomorrow at 11:00 AM.
Commissioner Haynes thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their quick
coordination during last Thursday's FM2FV concert, which facilitated special birthday wellwishes to Mayor Harris.
Commissioner Adcock acknowledged Marlin Goodnight from John Deere Turf Care and
provided a brief overview of the company’s accomplishments, specifically emphasizing
the milestone of producing its one-millionth machine. Mayor Harris expressed his
excitement about participating in the upcoming celebration of this significant
achievement.

CLOSED SESSION
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(3) - Attorney Client Privilege and N.C.G.S. 143-318.11
(a)(5) Property Acquisition.

A motion was made to conduct a closed session meeting at 8:39 p.m.
MOTION:

Commissioner Smith

SECOND:

Commissioner Haynes

MOTION RESULT:

Passed Unanimously (5-0)

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
The Town Board returned to the open session at 9:35 p.m., with nothing to report.
MOTION:

Commissioner Vorren

SECOND:

Commissioner Smith

MOTION RESULT:

Passed Unanimously (5-0)

Town Manager Mitchell updated on his meeting with Adorn Furniture owners about
concerns over the Town’s temporary event space and delivery access.
Town Manager Mitchel updated the Town Board on the Comprehensive Procurement
Policy, stating that staff is making steady progress.
Town Manager Mitchell updated on the 401 permit for the Sanford, Fuquay-Varina, and
Holly Springs waterline construction and the Inter-Basin Transfer.
Town Manager Mitchell inquired about the Town Board’s expectations for a public
presentation on automated license plate readers. The Board asked management and staff
to present this at the November 2, 2026, Town Board Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 a.m.
MOTION:

Commissioner Adcock

SECOND:

Commissioner Vorren

MOTION RESULT:

Passed Unanimously (5-0)

The minutes from the Town Board of Commissioners meeting held on September 22, 2026,
are adopted this 5th day of October, 2026, in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA

William H. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST

Teresa Wilder, Town Clerk

(TOWN SEAL)