Kinston receives update on downtown master plan as council fills board seats
Image: Public commenters at Kinston’s city council meeting.
The Kinston City Council on Tuesday approved an electric division tree trimming contract, authorized the next step toward purchasing a new fire engine, and approved a fireworks discharge permit for an April 25 event at Grainger Stadium.
During public comment, one citizen raised safety concerns about speeding, blocked driveways, lack of handicap signage and late-night activity in local housing developments, and asked for more police patrols. Tony Kinsey thanked the city and Parks and Recreation for opening Holloway gym on weekends and urged officials to expand weekend gym access at other sites for teenagers. He also asked the city to consider a community celebration for local high school football and basketball teams that reached state championships.
Council unanimously approved an award to Xylem Tree Services for electric division tree trimming and right-of-way maintenance. Public Services Director Steve Miller said the work is intended to keep limbs and brush out of power lines, reduce outages and address hazards on the electric system. He said the contract is based on hourly rates and annual budgeted need rather than a fixed total amount.
The council also unanimously approved moving forward through Sourcewell to obtain contract pricing for a new fire engine. Fire Chief Chad Jackson said the purchase would replace a 1993 engine and that, because of current lead times, the truck being replaced would be about 37 years old by the time a new one arrives. Jackson said the current estimated amount would not exceed $990,000 and that a final contract and financing details will return to council later.
Council then approved a fireworks discharge permit for Fly Exclusive’s employee appreciation event scheduled for April 25 at Grainger Stadium. Jackson said the fire department had no concerns and that the vendor’s paperwork, insurance and licensing were in order.
In presentations, city staff recognized members of Kinston Public Services’ electric department for competing in the APPA National Lineman Rodeo. Electric Superintendent Tyler Skinner said Yahir Aguilar Villegrin earned first place in national competition. Team members said the event tested safety knowledge, rescue skills and line work performance under pressure.
Staff also briefed council on upcoming grant opportunities for water and sewer infrastructure. Engineering Project Manager Charmaine Powell said the city plans to pursue spring Drinking Water State Revolving Fund money for the Grove Park water line project and a fall Community Development Block Grant-Infrastructure application for sewer work in the Washington Avenue area. Powell said the Washington Avenue application depends in part on income survey responses from residents in the project area.
Planning Director Elizabeth Blount gave an update to the council that the city and county are working together on a downtown master plan and are leaning toward Strada as the consulting firm. She said the plan would look ahead 20 years and include public engagement, implementation tools and phased action steps intended to move projects forward rather than sit on a shelf.
Council approved appointments for Robert W. Jones to the Historic Preservation Commission and Betty Jean Nobles and Tonyu A. Marshall to the Planning Board/Board of Adjustment. Blount said all three appointees were recent participants in Kinston 101.
In his report, Interim City Manager Ralph Clark said he did not recommend lowering the city’s liability insurance requirements for special events on public property, citing risk exposure and insurer recommendations. Clark also said he and county officials are discussing a joint demolition and cleanup effort targeting unsafe and blighted structures along major corridors and inside the city. He said he expects to bring that proposal back later this month.
Clark also asked council for direction on whether to continue an agreement with Checkmate Government Relations. After discussion, council voted to cancel the contract. Clark said the city had received a $6,000 invoice for consulting services.
Before adjournment, council members also discussed recreation gym access, city committee service, ethics training for boards and committees, and upcoming recruitment steps in the city manager hiring process.
The next Kinston City Council Meeting is on April 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
