Council pursues gun safety signage, authorizes funding for homeless support coordinator

At Monday’s Fayetteville City Council work session, council members took steps aimed at reducing gun violence and addressing the issue of homelessness in the city. Here’s a look at what they discussed and why it matters. 

Gun safety ordinance 

• What happened: The council discussed a proposed ordinance that would require businesses that sell firearms to place a warning sign outside their doors, cautioning visitors of the increased risk of death associated with the possession of firearms. After about half an hour of discussion, the council unanimously decided against the suggested ordinance, instead opting to pursue a voluntary gun signage plan for local firearm businesses.
• Why it matters: The city is grappling with a gun violence epidemic that has shown no signs of stopping; there have been 45 homicides in Fayetteville this year — five more murders than at this time last year. 
• What’s next: Council members or city staff will reach out to businesses to gauge their interest in putting up warning signs. The city’s legal staff will also consult with state legal sources to see if advocating for warning signage would violate any state laws. Council members also discussed the possibility of holding a public forum to get residents’ input on the matter. 

Homeless and Mental Health Committee Update 

• What happened: The committee presented its recommendations to address homelessness to the council, asking for the city to authorize funding for a director position for the Cumberland-County Continuum of Care (CoC). The CoC, which is run by volunteers, is a broad network of nonprofit organizations that provide resources and support to unhoused individuals. The council voted unanimously to authorize funding for the position; the funds would come from the city’s existing contributions toward an interlocal agreement with the county that funds programs and initiatives to support unhoused individuals. 
• Why it matters: City staff and council members and unhoused people in the local area have pointed out a lack of organization and clear communication between support agencies. Having a paid position to oversee the CoC’s operations may help streamline the process for individuals experiencing homelessness to get help. 

Traffic calming measures 

• What happened:  The council heard a presentation from city staff on traffic calming measures that could be implemented with the $25,000 in the city’s traffic calming budget for fiscal year 2024. City staff rated the measures on cost and effectiveness, and said they were most likely to recommend speed bumps, speed cushions, raised crosswalks and traffic circles. Council members expressed the need to get better feedback to concerned residents and come up with more traffic solutions before moving forward with any new construction plans. 
• Why it matters: With only $25,000 in this year’s traffic calming budget, the council will have to be selective about which measures it finds most useful and where to place them.  

Airport strategic marketing plan 

• What happened: The council heard a report on the Fayetteville Regional Airport’s marketing strategy for 2024. The plan is geared toward increasing flight traffic to the airport and encouraging more use by major airlines and by Fayetteville residents and residents of nearby counties. The airport is owned by the city. 
• Why it matters: The airport currently has a larger marketing budget than in any time in the past 30 years, staff said, with the city allocating half a million dollars toward the airport’s marketing efforts for 2024. Fayetteville’s airport has recently undergone extensive renovations and now offers 661 one-stop national and international flights. The city’s recent investments seem to be paying off; the airport contributed $813 million to the local economy in 2022. 

Contact Evey Weisblat at eweisblat@cityviewnc.com or 216-527-3608. 

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