Town Council

Meeting Minutes - Final

February 11, 2026, 6:00 PM

Library, Meeting Room B

WELCOME to a COUNCIL MEETING!

We’re glad you’re here. Want to know more about the meeting logistics,

see https://www.chapelhillnc.gov/Welcome-to-a-Council-meeting

ROLL CALL

Present:

9 - Mayor Jessica Anderson, Mayor pro tem Camille

Berry, Council Member Wesley McMahon, Council

Member Melissa McCullough, Council Member Paris

Miller-Foushee, Council Member Theodore Nollert,

Council Member Louie Rivers, Council Member Amy

Ryan, and Council Member Elizabeth Sharp

OTHER ATTENDEES

Town Manager Ted Voorhees, Deputy Town Manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Deputy Town Manager

Loryn Clark, Town Attorney Nicholas Yates, Communications and Engagement Director Susan Brown,

Planning Director Britany Waddell, Long-Range Planning Manager Tas Lagoo, Business Management

Director Amy Oland, Chief of Staff Jeanne Brown, Police Lieutenant Todd Harris, Assistant Town

Clerk Brenton Hodge, and Town Clerk Brittney Hunt.

OPENING

Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Anderson introduced the Town's new attorney, Nicholas Yates, and

recognized Black History Month, explaining that a formal observance would occur

at the February 25, 2026 Regular meeting.

AGENDA ITEM(S)

FY 2025 Audit Results and FY 2026 Financial Update

[26-0033]

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Business Management Director Amy Oland and external auditor Chad

Jackson of Mauldin & Jenkins presented the results of the Town's FY25

audit and provided a financial update for FY26. Mr. Jackson reported an

unmodified, or “clean,” opinion on the Town’s financial statements,

confirming compliance with generally accepted auditing standards and

Government Auditing Standards. Mr. Jackson noted compliance testing for

federal and state programs showed the Town received approximately

$20.4 million in federal funds and $6.9 million in state funds, with no

issues identified.

Ms. Oland reviewed FY25 fund balance results, noting that the General

Fund increased overall and unassigned balances. She stated approximately

$3 million in excess fund balance was available for one-time uses while

maintaining the Town’s 22% policy target. She proposed allocating these

funds to the Greene Tract MOU, FEMA administrative support, street

maintenance equipment, downtown improvements, Fire Station 4

demolition, and an infusion to the Debt Fund to keep the referendum

schedule on track.

Ms. Oland shared mid-year FY26 trends including: property tax collections

were on target following revaluation, sales tax collections were higher

than the prior year, and inspection revenues exceeded projections.

Expenditures were at 48.6% of budget, with personnel costs at 47.1% and

operating costs at 58.7%, projecting approximately $2 million in personnel

savings for the year.

Council members requested additional details regarding a breakdown of

downtown funding needs, historical data on excess fund balance

appropriations, and clarification of prioritization criteria. Council members

also requested analysis of the parking fund's performance and strategies

for revenue generation, information on hiring and retention levers for

hard-to-fill positions, updates on public safety equipment and fire

apparatus needs, public housing capital needs, and support for families

displaced by storms.

This matter was received and filed.

Rewriting Our Rules - A Land Use Management

Ordinance (LUMO) Update

[26-0034]

Planning Director Britany Waddell and Long-Range Planning Manager Tas

Lagoo presented an update on the Land Use Management Ordinance

rewrite. Mr. Lagoo outlined a timeline that includes completing a

consolidated draft and technical review in the spring, releasing the draft

for public review in the summer with plain-language guides and

educational sessions, and beginning formal legislative hearings in the fall.

Council members emphasized the need for materials that clearly connect

proposed changes to shared goals and themes such as housing diversity,

complete community, environmental resilience, and small-scale

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commercial development. Council requested a crosswalk showing where

each goal appears in the draft, visual examples, and hard-copy versions to

aid review. They also stressed the importance of clarifying public

expectations such as summer engagement will focus on education and

feedback, while formal changes will occur during the legislative process.

Council and staff discussed the design of a facilitated meeting to confirm

shared priorities and prepare briefing materials on missing-middle housing

and commercial development thresholds.

This matter was received and filed.

Report on Town Manager Evaluation Practices

[26-0035]

Town Manager Ted Voorhees and representatives from the UNC School of

Government Carl Stenberg, Julie Beasley, and Colt Jensen presented best

practices for evaluating local government managers and shared a draft

evaluation instrument. The proposed tool combines quantitative ratings

and narrative feedback to support an annual review that clarifies

expectations, highlights accomplishments, and sets goals for the next

period.

Council members discussed the structure and noted challenges in

evaluating certain sections, such as intergovernmental relations and staff

effectiveness, given limited visibility into day-to-day operations. Council

members expressed interest in emphasizing outcomes alongside process

and suggested a phased approach to incorporating organizational metrics

and staff input. Mr. Voorhees noted he will provide instructions for

submitting feedback on the draft instrument, propose key dates for the

evaluation process, and translate Council's strategic priorities from the

Council retreat into measurable goals for inclusion in the evaluation.

This matter was received and filed.

CLOSED SESSION (AS NEEDED)

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

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