Gastonia City Council Meeting - January 3, 2023
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Gastonia City Council Meeting - January 3, 2023
The Gastonia City Council held a regular meeting on January 3, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin presided in the absence of the mayor. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilwoman Jennifer M. Stepp and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Kirlin.
Consent Calendar
- H.1: Resolution to recognize $191,889 in State Maintenance Assistance Program (SMAP) funds from NCDOT and provide the city's match of $191,889 (Budget Amendment 2320021).
- H.2: Monthly Financial Report for November 2022.
- H.3: Resolution to award a contract for one sanitary sewer video inspection truck to Jet-Vac Equipment Company, LLC for $295,065.76.
- H.4: Resolution approving the NCDOT Municipal Agreement for Snow and Ice Removal.
- H.5: Resolution to award a contract for professional services for the Firestone Basin Relief Sewer Project to WithersRavenel for $464,700. (Item H.5 was pulled from consent for individual discussion; following discussion, the entire consent agenda was approved unanimously.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up or spoke during the public expression portion of the meeting.
Discussion Items
- H.5 – Firestone Basin Relief Sewer Project (Professional Services Contract): Councilwoman Stepp asked if this was the project discussed at a previous meeting. City Manager Michael Peoples confirmed it was, noting the project has been a goal for five years. The state appropriated $4.4 million for the project; the $464,700 contract represents approximately 10% of the total cost, which is typical for engineering services. Council discussed the importance of the project in alleviating manhole overflows during heavy rain events.
- I.1 – Donation of 1996 Pierce Pumper Truck to Crowders Mountain Fire Department: Fire Chief Phil Welch presented the resolution. The truck served as a front-line apparatus for 16 years and as a reserve for 11 years. Donating it to Crowders Mountain Fire Department benefits the city because that department covers areas beyond the city's five-mile response reach, including the sewer treatment plant and a recent annexation area. The department also lost a truck in a crash nine months ago. Council unanimously approved the donation.
- Water Leak Backlog (City Manager’s Report): Councilman Odom inquired about a backlog of water leak repairs following the hard freeze. City Manager Peoples explained that leaks are prioritized by size and impact, noting a typical backlog for smaller leaks. He emphasized that private-side leaks are the homeowner's responsibility. Councilwoman Stepp added that she experienced delays but that leaks were eventually fixed.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of Consent Agenda: All items H.1 through H.5 were approved unanimously after separate discussion on H.5.
- Donation of Surplus Fire Truck: Resolution declaring the 1996 Pierce Pumper truck surplus and donating it to Crowders Mountain Fire Department was approved unanimously.
- Centralina Regional Council Delegates: Councilwoman Jennifer M. Stepp was appointed as delegate, and Councilman Charles Odom as alternate for 2023. (Motion passed unanimously.)
- Board of Adjustments Appointment: Councilman Robert Kellogg nominated Michael Dixon to fill a vacancy on the Board of Adjustments (moving from alternate to full member); the council approved by voice vote.
- Staff Recognition: Councilmembers thanked city staff for their work during the Christmas holiday weather emergency, noting that 2,188 power outages were restored within 12 hours.
- Upcoming Events: The announcement included several upcoming meetings and events: Transportation Committee (Jan 5), Martin Luther King Jr. holiday activities (Jan 14-16), a City Council meeting at the courthouse (Jan 17), and the Municipal Citizens Academy session (Jan 23).
Meeting Transcript
City Council meeting. Welcome this evening. I'm Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kerlin sitting in for the mayor, who unfortunately is still out sick. But we are all praying for his rapid recovery. And that being said, let's move on with the invocation. I believe Councilwoman Step is going to give that tonight. If you are so inclined and would like to, please bow your head and pray with me. And we're going to have a new year's prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the nice warm weather that you have blessed us with these past few days. We thank you for a time of celebration and refreshment during the holidays and time to be with friends and family. For those who were lonely or sick or struggling during this time, we ask for a special measure of grace, mercy, and healing. We thank you for our freedom and opportunities provided to us in the country in which we live. We thank you for our staff who work so hard to protect and to serve our citizens and for the leadership of those who work tirelessly to make our city the best place it can be. We pray for all our citizens and that 2023 will bring us all good health, prosperity, and joy, that we will come together as a community to help one another, be kind to one another, be understanding of one another, and love one another. That we will all remember that together we are better. Gastonia is better. We are filled with joy and are grateful to God for the privilege of seeing another year. I pray that this year brings renewed hope, restoration, happiness, goals, achievements, and much new inspiration and energy for us all. I pray 2023 is a year fully loaded with happiness and that it brings us many blessings. Let us let go of the old and make place for the new and wait with great anticipation to see what God's plan for us is and his provision. May 2023 bring us new opportunities, chances, places, and friendships. May the peace of the Lord that surpasses all understanding be our portion this year. And let us remember as we face the good times and the challenges in the new year that God is always with us and we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let us hold on to God's word and hide it in our heart and use it as the measuring stick for all we do. Let us be unceasing in prayer. Let us awake each day with faith thankfulness in our hearts and celebrate even the smallest victory. And let us also be grateful for the obstacles which build our faith and character. Let us celebrate one another and serve one another in love. And as we begin a new chapter in our story, let us play our part and play it well, always striving to do the next right thing and to glorify you. Use this as your instruments in this new year and fill us with your spirit. And finally, we ask for your discernment and wisdom as we conduct our business tonight and represent those who have put their trust in us. We ask all these things in your holy name. Amen. Thank you. That's right for the Pledge of Allegiance. My pledge of allegiance to the fly of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. Before we adopt the agenda, could I uh get a motion to excuse the mayor? So moved. Second. Thank you. Uh all those in favor, please indicate so. Thank you very much. Okay. Moving on to the adoption of the agenda. What are the wishes of council? Move to approve. Second.
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