Gastonia City Council Meeting - December 6, 2022

The Gastonia City Council met on December 6, 2022 at 6:00 PM with Mayor Pro Tem (standing in for Mayor Walker E. Reid, III who was ill) presiding. Key topics included the annual audit report, a presentation from Project B.O.L.T., a contract for lead and copper rule compliance, several affordable housing items, committee reports, and a public comment from a local community group.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda with an amendment adding item G12 (Highland Branch Greenway CMAQ supplemental agreement).
• Approved the minutes of the November 15 regular meeting.
• Approved all 13 consent items, including: resolutions for subdivision plats, easements, asset forfeiture recognition, bond referendum results, interest earnings, transportation bond proceeds, monthly financial report, coin donation, sewer utility agreement, CMAQ funding for Highland Branch Greenway, and subdivision plats for Copper Mill and Nolen Farm.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Finland Fair and George Fullwood (representing 101 Black Men for Highland) spoke during public expression. They stated that their organization is already conducting similar community outreach and trust-building work as Project B.O.L.T., including mentoring, feeding programs, school partnerships, and career building (e.g., truck driving school). They urged the city to look at local groups first before hiring outside consultants and asked for funding support for their efforts.

Discussion Items

• E1: Audit Results (FY2022) – Finance Director Crystal Certain and auditor Tonya Thompson presented an unmodified (clean) audit opinion with no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Key financial highlights: revenues increased $5M to $68.3M; expenditures increased $9.5M to $64.7M; available fund balance grew to $36.48 million (47.96% of expenditures, above the 25% target). Property taxes represented 47% of revenues; sales taxes grew to 30% (up 15% from prior year). Public safety consumed 51% of expenditures. The city’s debt stood at $113.6 million, with a legal debt margin of $499 million. No LGC performance indicator red flags were triggered.
• E2: Project B.O.L.T. – Gemini Boyd, co-founder and president, presented his Charlotte-based nonprofit that serves as a community trust broker, using lived experience (20 years federal prison) to build trust, hope, and value in marginalized communities. He described their methodology: listening to residents, conducting surveys, and connecting resources. They have partnerships with schools, health systems, and sports teams. The committee had recommended engaging Project B.O.L.T. (see Committee Report).
• E3: Lead and Copper Rule Compliance Contract – Public Utilities Director Joe Albright and Samantha Biltcliffe of 120Water presented the new USEPA Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (effective Dec 2021), which require a complete service line inventory by October 16, 2024. The city seeks to contract with 120Water for $175,000 over 36 months to develop the inventory, verification, and public transparency dashboard. Council approved the contract unanimously.
• Central City Revitalization & Housing Committee Report (Councilman Kellogg):
  • 2C: Summer Concert Series – Approved reducing from more frequent concerts to four larger events (May, June, August, September) in partnership with Gastonia East Rotary Club. Discussion emphasized diversity of bands and alternative attendance metrics beyond beer sales.
  • 2E: CHDO Designation and Affordable Housing Construction – Designated Belmont Community Development Corporation (CDC) as a certified CHDO and approved an agreement for constructing two single-family homes on city-owned land at a total construction cost of up to $469,320 (approx. $234,660 per unit). Developer fee is 15%. Homes must be sold to low- to moderate-income buyers (80% AMI) within nine months or convert to rentals per HUD rules. Approved.
  • 2F: Surplus Property Conveyance – Authorized conveyance of surplus city-owned properties to Belmont CDC for affordable housing. Approved.
  • 2G: Third Substantial Amendment to CDBG-CV Plan – Allocated funds for public facilities (outdoor shelters at Linwood Springs and T. Jeffers). Approved.
  • 2H: RFP for Highland East Community Properties – Released draft RFP for city-owned properties in Highland East. Approved.
  • 2I: Declaration of Surplus Properties – Declared certain city-owned properties surplus for affordable housing. Approved.
  • 2J: Affordable Housing Policy Changes – Increased homebuyer down payment assistance from $5,000 to $7,500; adopted a competitive scoring model for multifamily projects that rewards developers accepting Housing Choice Vouchers. Approved.
  • 2L: Neighborhood Engagement and Needs Assessment – The committee had voted to recommend engaging Project B.O.L.T. However, after public comments from 101 Black Men and council discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Council directed staff to facilitate a joint discussion between Project B.O.L.T. and 101 Black Men to explore potential collaboration.
• Audit, Bids & Insurance Committee Report (Mayor Pro Tem):
  • Approved continuing the employee health clinic contract with Atrium Health (rather than issuing an RFP), citing employee satisfaction and established patient-provider relationships.
  • Approved the annual audit as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent agenda (all 13 items) unanimously.
• Approved the lead and copper rule compliance contract with 120Water ($175,000) unanimously.
• Approved the Erwin Center parking lot contract with Quinn Sales Inc. dba Custom Paving ($249,989.58) unanimously.
• Approved citizen committee appointments: Cassandra Longway to the Art Committee; other appointments tabled.
• Approved all affordable housing items from the committee report as listed above (summer concert series, CHDO designation, property conveyance, CDBG-CV amendment, RFP, surplus property declaration, and policy changes) with unanimous votes.
• Directed staff to facilitate a joint meeting between Project B.O.L.T. and 101 Black Men for Highland to explore partnership, rather than immediately engaging Project B.O.L.T. alone.
• Closed Session: Council entered closed session under N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) to consult with the city attorney regarding pending litigation (City of Gastonia v. Nancy Foy McDaniel et al.) and preserve attorney-client privilege.