Mayor and Council

You can email the Council collectively at mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org. Your email will become part of the public archive of Council correspondence. You can also contact the Mayor and Council Members individually:

Jessica Anderson

Chapel Hill Mayor

Camille Berry

Mayor Pro Tem

Amy Ryan

Council Member

Melissa McCullough

Council Member

Wes McMahon

Council Member

Paris Miller-Foushee

Council Member

Theodore Nollert

Council Member

Louie Rivers III

Council Member

Elizabeth Sharp

Council Member

The Mayor's duties include: 

• Presiding at all Council meetings

• Providing leadership on policy issues

• Recommending appointments to city boards and commissions

• Representing the city at official functions (local, state, and national)

• Carrying out special responsibilities during emergencies 

The Council's duties include:

• Amending the Town Code of Ordinances

• Adopting and revising policies

• Appointing advisory boards, commissions, task forces and committees.

• Appointing the Town Manager and Town Attorney.

• Establishing agreements with other governments.

Types of Council meetings

The Town Council holds three types of meetings:

• Business meetings are for the Council to conduct official business and make policy decisions by voting on agenda items. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate by offering their comments to the Council. 
• Work sessions are for Council to have informal discussions on special topics. Residents are encouraged to attend, but there is no public comment period. 
• Closed sessions are for Council to discuss specific types of confidential matters and are not open to the public. These are reasons for a closed session are governed by state statute and include the following: personnel matters, economic development, negotiating real estate or employment contracts, and to consult with the Town Attorney. 

Participate at a business meeting

• Please check in with the Town Clerk and sign up to speak

  • If you wish to speak to Council about something that's not on the agenda, there is a public comment period at the beginning of the meeting.

  • If you wish to speak to Council about discussion items on the agenda, there is a public comment period for each discussion item. 

• The Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem will call you up when it's your turn. You'll have three minutes to speak at the microphone, unless there is a high volume of speakers on the same topic - then you may have two minutes. 

Getting to a meeting

Business meetings are usually held in the Council Chamber at Town Hall:

• Parking: Free parking is available in Town Hall lots and at the Stephens Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. lot.
• Transit: Town Hall is served by Chapel Hill Transit’s NS and T routes, as well as GoTriangle routes. 
• Entrance: Use the ground floor entrance.

Work sessions are usually held at the Chapel Hill Public Library:

• Parking: Free parking is available in the Library's upper and lower lots
• Transit: Library is served by Chapel Hill Transit's _____ routes
• Entrance: Use the main level entrance.

Every two years, the Town Council establishes high level strategic goals. In early 2026, the Council will create new goals for 2026-2028. Here are their 2023-2025 strategic focus areas:

Strategic Focus Area 1: Environmental Stewardship

To mitigate effects of climate changes through management of Town resources, partnerships, and natural environment and as we densify to also strengthen protection of sites in our natural areas plan and parks master plan.

Goals

• Continue implementation of Climate Action and Response Plan
• Model environmental best practices across departments and facilities
• Encourage energy efficient buildings, and renewable energy while reducing energy needs
• Continue to link transit, transportation, and climate action initiatives

Core Departments

Sustainability, Planning, Public Works, Library, Parks & Recreation, Transit

Complete Community Connections

Green infrastructure, mature tree canopy, natural landscapes, waterways, features, affordable housing choices with access to jobs and transportation 

Strategic Focus Area 2: Economic & Financial Stewardship

To support a vibrant economy by supporting business development, jobs creation, and entrepreneurship by balancing our tax base to support a diverse community.

Goals

• Continue implementation of ReVive plan, focusing on women and minority businesses
• Continue Town/Gown collaboration, with a focus on entrepreneurs, innovators, and housing for employees
• Continue implementation of Downtown Together plan, with focus on downtown revitalization

Core Departments

Economic Development, Planning, Business Management

Complete Community Connections

Support innovation & entrepreneurism, social innovation/non-profit incubators, UNC presence 

Strategic Focus Area 3: Affordable Housing & Housing Production

To increase housing access across a range of incomes and housing types and achieve equitable housing outcomes for historically marginalized populations.

Goals

• Increase availability of affordable housing
• Preserve existing affordable housing
• Sustainably manage public and transitional housing
• Increase production and diversity of housing

Core Departments

Public Housing, Affordable Housing and Community Connections, Planning, Transit

Complete Community Connections

Housing diversity, access to home ownership, live/work neighborhoods with access to sustainable transportation options 

Strategic Focus Area 4: Connected Community

To create a highly connected community where bicycling, walking, and transit are convenient, everyday choices for our neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces are accessible to all residents without a car.

Goals:

• Continue implementation of current multi-modal plans to increase connectivity
• Work with transit partners to support long term financial sustainability of Chapel Hill Transit
• Implement Transit-Oriented-Development plans
• Implement Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways and explore funding options (fed, state, partnerships)

Core Departments

Transit, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Parking Services, Planning 

Complete Community Connections

Greenways, transit-oriented, active transportation options, housing density supports transportation options 

Strategic Focus Area 5: Healthy & Inclusive Community

Collaborate with communities and institutions to eliminate inequities, build community, and enrich the health and lives of those who live, work, and visit Chapel Hill.

Goals

• Continue to implement the Community Connections Strategy
• Leverage partnerships to increase access to arts and cultural experiences, especially those that highlight historically marginalized artists
• Create opportunities for residents to share their own stories and explore our community’s history, with a focus on historically marginalized residents and communities
• Focus on inclusivity in cultural and social events, friendly to children through seniors and those with mobility issues or other disabilities
• Fund cultural arts activities and facility development for arts, cultural events, and parks

Core Departments

Library, Community Arts & Culture, Parks and Recreation, DEI Office, Affordable Housing & Community Connections, Communications & Public Affairs 

Complete Community Connections

Cultural & social events, friendly to children and seniors, non-able-bodied, and the whole population 

Strategic Focus Area 6: Safe Community

Embrace a holistic approach to making Chapel Hill a healthy, safe, and supportive community in which to live, work, and visit. Stable and safe housing makes stable and safe communities.

Goals

• Continue implementing Reimagining Community Safety recommendations
• Continue implementing Vision Zero Strategy
• Clarify roles for Town and County and continue collaborative partnerships to address homelessness, mental health, substance use, and other community issues
• Focus on safety in densely populated and connected communities

Core Departments

Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Building & Development Services, Public Works, Technology Solutions, Affordable Housing and Community Connections, DEI Office  

Complete Community Connections

Friendly to children and seniors, non-able-bodied, and the whole population, access to affordable housing 

Strategic Focus Area 7: Employee Recruitment & Retention

Attract top talent across the organization, offer fair and competitive compensation, and ensure that all employees have the resources, knowledge, and training to do their best work every day.

Goals

• Continue work on employee compensation, with a focus on addressing compression and inflation
• Better maintain and improve facilities, with a focus on MSC and Fire Stations
• Support employee work-life balance

Core Departments

Human Resources Development, Technology Solutions, Business Management, Manager’s Office, Ombuds Office, DEI Office  

Complete Community Connections

Our people are essential to successful implementation of the Complete Community Framework