High Point City Council approves ARPA grants, development ordinance updates and advisory appointments

The High Point City Council on July 16 approved two ARPA-funded allocations totaling $154,984, adopted a package of technical amendments to the city’s development ordinance, extended the city’s targeted incentives policy for one year and confirmed three advisory-board appointments.

The actions, taken during a regularly scheduled meeting at High Point City Hall, included $77,492 to the High Point Schools Partnership (an affiliate of Resilience High Point) and $77,492 to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Center for Housing & Community Studies. Council also adopted text amendment 25-01, which staff described as a set of minor clarifications to bring the City of High Point development ordinance into alignment with North Carolina General Statutes.

Why it matters: The ARPA allocations fund local tenant mediation and housing-related services that council members said aim to reduce evictions and help residents stay housed. The development-ordinance changes update public-notice language and other technical definitions that staff said were required to mirror state statute. The targeted-incentives extension continues the city’s temporary economic-development policy through June 30, 2026, and staff said benchmark and award information will be made available on request.

Most consequential votes - ARPA allocations: Council approved allocating $77,492 of ARPA-enabled funds to the High Point Schools Partnership (Resilience High Point affiliate) and $77,492 to the UNCG Center for Housing & Community Studies. Councilmember Cook spoke in favor of the UNCG allocation, saying, “these types of programs are really positive and have positive impact for both the landlord and the tenant to allow them to find a solution that will keep people housed.”

- Development ordinance (text amendment 25-01): Samuel Hennett, interim development administrator, told the council the amendment consists of six mostly technical sections to ensure compliance with North Carolina General Statutes, including updates to public-notification requirements, variance language and enforcement provisions. Hennett said staff recommends approval. Council approved the amendment after a public hearing with no speakers on the item.

- Targeted incentives policy extension: Councilmember Peters asked to add an item to the agenda to extend the targeted incentives (economic development) policy for an additional year, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Council passed the extension. Staff said that, after businesses meet performance benchmarks included in their agreements, “staff will review that information, and once staff has certified that those benchmarks have been met, then staff will process the payment to the entity that has been awarded.” Councilmember Andrew asked whether benchmarks would be available to the public; staff confirmed a summary of investment and job metrics can be provided upon request.

- Advisory appointments and procedural votes: Council confirmed the appointment of Courtney Mickens to the Citizens Advisory Council and confirmed Beverly Lewis and Courtney Lowe to the Theater Advisory Commission, with terms noted in the staff report. The council also approved its consent agenda, which included a renewal contract with the Mental Health Association for services at the public library; Councilmember Cook highlighted the program’s role in reducing repeated police responses and helping patrons access transportation and care.

Recusals and procedure: Councilmember Harmon announced a recusal on agenda item 2025-292 because he serves on the board of Resilience High Point; Mayor Cyril Jefferson also recused himself from the same item out of an abundance of caution because his wife works for the organization. The council formally recorded and approved those recusals before acting on the related allocation.

What staff said and next steps: Staff indicated the UNCG award includes a budget amendment and authorization for city officials to execute necessary documents. For targeted incentives awards, staff said agreements signed by both the city and participating businesses will document job and investment benchmarks and that staff will provide a public summary of the awards and outcomes when those benchmarks are verified.

The meeting concluded with routine announcements and a motion to go into closed session that council voted to approve.