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COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
March 26, 2015
A special workshop meeting of the City Council of the City of Jacksonville was held
Thursday, March 26, 2015 beginning at 5:15 PM in Meeting Rooms A and B of Jacksonville
City Hall. Present were: Mayor Sammy Phillips presiding; Mayor Pro-Tem Michael Lazzara and
Council Members: Randy Thomas, Bob Warden, Angelia Washington and Jerome Willingham.
Councilman Jerry Bittner was out of town and unable to attend. Also present were: Richard
Woodruff, City Manager; Ronald Massey, Deputy City Manager; Glenn Hargett, Assistant
Manager for Communications and Community Affairs; Carmen K. Miracle, City Clerk; and John
Carter, City Attorney.
*A video recording of the Council Meeting is presently available for review on the City’s
website.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sammy Phillips called the meeting to order at 5:17 PM.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Councilwoman Washington, seconded by Councilman
Willingham, and unanimously approved to adopt the agenda as amended to add Presentation A -
Proclamation-Dr. Georgella E. Wright Day.
PRESENTATION
PROCLAMATION- DR. GEORGELLA E. WRIGHT DAY
Mayor Phillips read a Proclamation naming May 14, 2015 as Dr. Georgella E. Wright
Day in the City of Jacksonville recognizing the contributions Dr. Wright as a devout mother,
grandmother, and citizen of the City of Jacksonville. Dr. Wright is an acknowledged author and
deeply involved with several non-profit organizations including the Onslow Women’s Shelter.
Following the reading of the Proclamation, Dr. Georgella E. Wright accepted the Proclamation.
MEETING TOPIC
NCDOT MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT-BEIRUT MEMORIAL GROVE
In 2013, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) constructed a Beirut
Memorial Grove to replace aging Bradford Pear Trees planted along Lejeune Boulevard. Site

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conditions as well as other contributing factors caused the initial NCDOT tree planting to fail,
and over the past year, staff worked with community stakeholders and the NCDOT to develop a
project for restoring the Grove. To ensure the project would be successful, a new tree species
(Chinese Pistache) was selected to compliment site conditions and City staff would complete the
work to guarantee proper workmanship. The restoration project would replace all 273 trees,
apply chemical treatments to control weeds and revive sod, and included 12 months of
comprehensive maintenance funded by NCDOT. In 2009, City Council agreed to provide long-
term maintenance of landscaping enhancements for the Jacksonville Bypass (the U-2107 project)
that included the Beirut Memorial Grove following the 12-month period.
If approved by Council, the Secretary of Transportation agreed to request the Board of
Transportation approval on April 2, so restoration work could commence immediately. NCDOT
would reimburse the City for all restoration costs up to $180,000.
A motion was made by Councilman Willingham, seconded by Councilman Warden, and
unanimously approved to adopt the Budget Amendment and authorize the City Manager to
execute the NCDOT Municipal Agreement.
Ordinance 2015-07, Bk. 12, Pg. 327
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilwoman Washington, seconded by Councilman Thomas,
and unanimously adopted to adjourn the meeting at 5:29 PM.
Adopted by the Jacksonville City Council in regular session this 7th day of April, 2015.
______________________________
Sammy Phillips, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Carmen K. Miracle, City Clerk