Wilmington city council approves several items on September 5 agenda

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington city council reviewed several items on their agenda tonight, from new radios, to a possible removal of trees, to a new brewery setting up shop.

City council unanimously approved a $2.7 million contract to purchase 800 megahertz radios for police, fire, street maintenance, traffic and storm water services personnel. Funding is already included in this year’s budget and will replace radios about 10 years old that are at the end of their life cycle

Council unanimously approved an agreement with Wilmington Downtown, incorporated to provide the “Bring it! Downtown” marketing campaign with $30,000 from city parking funds. This would continue a previous agreement which tasks the “bring it downtown” task force to work with downtown businesses to promote the parking program downtown.

The council delayed an ordinance until 2018 which would allow the removal of trees on public or private property, with consent of the owner, when necessary to provide an unobstructed view of outdoor advertising signs. Currently, 59 of the 60 outdoor advertising signs located within the city are located on a state highway.

The council unanimously approved a resolution that would release a “use restriction” on the old fire house on north 4th street. The neighborhood has seen much positive revitalization in recent years and the current owner proposes a brewery for this space.

City council unanimously approved an ordinance to add $180,000 to the Heide Trask Bridge walkway to address needed engineering changes.