Gastonia City Council Meeting – January 17, 2023

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin presided in the absence of Mayor Walker Reed. The council approved multiple proclamations, a facade grant for downtown redevelopment, bond-funded street resurfacing, engineering service negotiations, and a small-area tree plan, among other items. One citizen spoke about signage concerns.

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Judge Michael Lands Retirement: Council presented a proclamation honoring Judge Lands for 39 years of service as assistant public defender, district attorney, and district court judge. Lands thanked the community and his family.
• National Day of Racial Healing (January 17): Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp read the proclamation. Cherie Jzar, DEI Coordinator, and Chris Thomason, Gaston County NAACP President, accepted. Jzar emphasized the city's commitment to racial equity and healing.
• Black History Month (February 2023): Mayor Pro Tem Kirlin read the proclamation. The recipient, Carolyn West-Brown, was absent; Cherie Jzar accepted on behalf of the African American Museum of History & Culture.

Consent Calendar

• G.1 – DAR 110th Anniversary Proclamation: Recognized the William Gaston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• G.2 – Airport Engineering Services Contract: Authorized awarding a contract to Talbert, Bright, and Ellington, Inc. (TBE) for professional services at Gastonia Municipal Airport. Councilman Robert Kellogg asked about costs; staff explained that fees are based on TBE’s rate schedule and funded by annual DOT aviation entitlement ($150,000) plus city match. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kimberly Moore (Gaston County resident): Expressed concern about Dash Tax Services signage in predominantly Black, Latino, and elderly neighborhoods on the west end, noting signs less than three feet apart and absent in east-end neighborhoods like Gardner Park, Mount Holly, and Belmont. She requested that the city review signage regulations to reduce visual clutter and encourage homeownership in those areas. The mayor noted that no council response is typical during public expression.

Discussion Items

• H.1 – Facade and Design Grants for TRW 2020 LLC: Staff presented a request for a Level 3 Facade Grant ($30,000) and an Architectural Design Grant ($1,500) for the property at 278/280 W. Main Avenue (Rustin on Main). Owner Jim Morasso is investing approximately $779,287 in facade improvements and $3.4 million overall ($30% increase due to rising costs). Council commended the detailed application and voted unanimously to approve.

Committee Reports

Transportation Committee (Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp reporting)

• 2A – 2023 GO Bond Resurfacing List: Approved initial $10 million list from the $20 million bond program, with the second $10 million to be developed after a pavement condition study in March. Street Gardner Park Drive was noted as separately funded. Councilman Kellogg asked about timing; staff confirmed the list is for this fiscal year. Unanimous approval.
• 2B – Engineering Services Negotiations: Authorized the city manager and attorney to negotiate contracts for manhole adjustments (LaBella, $200,000) and Neal Hawkins Corridor Study & Express Design (Ramey Kemp, $97,000). Unanimous.
• 2C – Carolina Thread Trail Feasibility Study: Supported an NCDOT application to study a bike/pedestrian connector from downtown Gastonia to Crowders Mountain State Park. Councilman Robert Kellogg noted the study should consider routes like Myrtle School Road. Unanimous.
• 2D – I-85 Widening Betterments (I-5719): Adopted recommended mid-level betterments (e.g., brick vs. stone, landscaping) for six structures within city limits. Total cost ~$7.3 million, with $2 million from DOT and $2.5 million bonus allocation from Union Road widening, leaving city share ~$2.7 million. Unanimous.
• Informational Updates: Transit micro-RFP due; bus ridership stable. Airport: self-serve fuel station survey complete, obstruction removal at country club finished, fence project done, runway lighting on hold. Unanimous approval on all action items.

Tree Advisory Commission (Quentin McPhatter and Robert Stroud presenting)

• York Chester Small Area Tree Plan: Council approved a resolution authorizing the Tree Advisory Commission and staff to prepare an RFP for a targeted tree plan in the York Chester neighborhood, intended as a pilot for a citywide urban forestry master plan. Staff noted only two city arborists and the need for a phased approach. Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp directed that the citywide plan remain the ultimate goal. Unanimous approval.

City Manager’s Report

• Michael Peoples announced: strategic planning retreat Jan. 20-21 (Friday-Saturday); tour of Catawba Nuclear Plant Feb. 7; wastewater pump station tour Feb. 16. He also reported that 25 signs (from the company Moore referenced) were removed today due to improper placement.

City Council Reports

• Councilmembers shared attendance at MLK events and other community activities. Councilman David Kirlin (Mayor Pro Tem) noted the Citizen Committee Recognition Event on Jan. 19 and the upcoming strategic planning sessions. Councilman Robert Kellogg highlighted the annual homeless point-in-time count on Tuesday night and thanked the cold weather shelter volunteers.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: all consent agenda items, the facade/design grant, transportation committee resolutions (2A-2D), and the tree advisory commission resolution.
• Directive: City manager to continue removal of illegal signs; staff to develop RFP for York Chester tree plan.
• Next Steps: Strategic planning retreat Jan. 20-21; bond resurfacing bid documents prepared; feasibility study for Carolina Thread Trail greenway to proceed; I-85 betterments to be included in project scope.