Gastonia City Council Meeting - February 21, 2023

The Gastonia City Council met on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 6:00 PM, with Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin presiding in the absence of Mayor Walker Reed. The meeting included a ceremonial invocation, pledge of allegiance, adoption of the agenda with an amendment, approval of three sets of minutes, multiple award presentations and proclamations, a vision plan presentation, public comments, a consent agenda of 12 items, two regular agenda items, a committee report, and various reports from city staff and council members. Key actions included approval of a police retention and recruitment plan costing over $600,000, a contract for design and development of the Public Works Campus Phase 1, and adoption of the 2023-2025 goals and objectives with an added reference to the One Gaston 2040 vision.

Consent Calendar

• Items H.1 through H.12 were approved unanimously. These included:
  • Proclamations for Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March 2023).
  • Resolution approving a multi-family housing facility (Fairhaven Place) and financing up to $24,900,000 with the Gastonia Housing Authority.
  • Resolution supporting application for 2023 RAISE grant.
  • Resolution setting public hearing date for March 21, 2023, for closure of a portion of Sinclair Street.
  • Resolution revising membership of the Gastonia Municipal Airport Advisory Committee.
  • Contract with McAdams for GO Bond safety improvements at schools and parks (not to exceed $115,700).
  • Final recording plats for Ruby Dixon Crossing, East Hudson Townhomes Phase 2, and Camber Woods Phase 2B.
  • Contract with Benesch for engineering services for Linwood Springs Park ($407,150).
  • Contract for purchase of two pumper fire trucks ($1,750,000) and budget amendment #2320030.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tommy Wisnet, president of the North Carolina Security and Low Voltage Association, spoke against the proposed verified response alarm ordinance. He argued that a model ordinance (with fines for repeat false alarms) is safer and more effective, citing national standards and a UNC Charlotte study. He expressed the industry's willingness to collaborate with the police chief on a safe ordinance.

Discussion Items

• E.1: 2022 Employee Awards – Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp and Employee Development Manager Malik Zeigler presented awards to four city employees: Courtney Stigall (Extraordinary Service, accepted by Chief Trent Cardinal), Tori Dellinger (Customer Service), Travelis Butler (Leadership), and Jeff Hamm (Safety). Each received $500 and an extra day off. Over 39 nominations were received, more than double the previous year.
• E.2: Black College Expo Empowerment Week Proclamation – Councilwoman Donyel Barber presented the proclamation recognizing February 27–March 3, 2023. Recipient Nathaniel Jones (Legacy Builders Unlimited) noted the first Black College Expo in North Carolina would be held in Gastonia, expecting up to 2,000 students. The proclamation was accepted unanimously.
• E.3 & E.4: ACE Program Certificates – Councilman Robert Kellogg and Neighborhood Program Administrator Tyler Davis presented certificates to Bethesda Oaks HOA and Cramer Woods for becoming recognized communities through the Alliance for Community Enrichment program.
• F.1: One Gaston 2040 Vision Presentation – Representatives from the Gaston Vision 2040 team (Leslie Lee, Sharon Padgett, Gina Shell) presented the county-wide vision plan, developed over 2.5 years with over 70 workshops and input from 2,000+ people. The vision focuses on five pillars: One Gaston Works (jobs/education), One Gaston Grows (housing/infrastructure), One Gaston Shines (arts/culture), and includes a community information hub and data dashboard. Gaston Together will lead implementation.
• I.1: Public Works Campus Phase 1 Contract – Assistant Director of Public Works Robert Cloninger presented the design and development contract with Myers and Chapman for remodeling and upgrading the 42-year-old Public Works Campus, including the car wash, fuel island, solid waste facility, and parking areas. Funding is from ARPA funds. The resolution and a budget amendment were approved unanimously.
• I.2: Proposed Goals and Objectives 2023-2025 – City Manager Michael Peoples presented 53 proposed goals across six categories. Council members requested adding a specific goal to partner with Gaston County on implementing the One Gaston 2040 vision. The amended goals and objectives were approved unanimously.
• J.1: Public Safety Committee Report – Councilwoman Stepp reported on the February 13 committee meeting. Chief Chad Conner presented a detailed police retention and recruitment plan, including: intermediate/advanced pay (2.5%–5%), organizational restructuring (adding corporals and lieutenants), increased lateral transfer bonus ($6,000), increased training officer pay (5% vs. $75/pay period), bilingual pay for all languages, shift differential for night shift (5%), and a career development plan. The total cost is over $600,000. Councilman Kellogg praised the plan. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• False Burglar Alarms Discussion – Chief Conner explained that in 2021, GPD responded to 5,560 alarm calls, 99% false, resulting in only 7 crime reports and 2 apprehensions. He advocated for a verified response policy (audio, video, or on-scene verification) which could reduce false alarms by 90%. Councilmembers asked questions about implementation. City Manager Peoples recommended the matter go back to the Public Safety Committee for further study. Council agreed to proceed with caution.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously: Consent agenda (12 items), design and development contract for Public Works Campus Phase 1 (I.1), 2023-2025 goals and objectives (I.2, amended to include One Gaston 2040), and police retention and recruitment plan (J.1).
• Appointed: John Duncan and David Powers to the Airport Advisory Committee (motion by Councilman Odom, approved).
• Directive: The false alarm ordinance proposal will be studied further by the Public Safety Committee and city staff.
• Other: The budget calendar may be amended to add a meeting to discuss property revaluation impacts.

City Council Reports

• Council members reported on various community events, including a FUSE meeting on the Honey Hunters stadium, visits to Boys & Girls Club, Delta Sigma Theta ball, Centralina board meeting (where Gastonia received a collaboration award), and condolences for two local deaths. Councilwoman Stepp celebrated her birthday.

Announcements

• Upcoming meetings and events were announced, including the next regular City Council meeting on March 7, 2023.