Gastonia City Council Meeting - April 4, 2023

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin, sitting in for Mayor Walker Reed, who was absent due to recovery. An invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were held, with the invocation noting the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and the passing of former State Senator David Hoyle. The agenda was adopted with an addition to the consent agenda (Item G10). The minutes of the March 14 and March 21 meetings were approved.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: All consent agenda items (G1–G10) after Councilman Gallagher requested explanations for G4 (mowing tractors, $207,944.60), G8 (sweeper truck, $395,650), and G9 (asphalt truck, $278,477). City Manager Michael Peoples confirmed these are replacement equipment for end-of-life vehicles, budgeted in the current fiscal year and not affecting next year's budget. Also discussed was G2 ($512,000 for public safety mobile data terminals, critical for police/fire operations) and G3 ($140,000 for solid waste vehicle maintenance). All items were approved.

Proclamations

• Proclamation supporting The Genesis Church Higher Learning College Tour, presented by Councilman Kellogg to Pastor Johnny Brown.
• Proclamation recognizing April 18, 2023, as Lineman Appreciation Day, presented by Councilman Gallagher to Adrian Certain, Assistant Division Manager of the Electric Department. Both proclamations were adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Sallers: Urged the council to set the property tax rate at revenue neutral (37.7 cents per $100 valuation, down from the current 52 cents), arguing that inflation is hurting families and that spending on pickleball courts ($312,000) and the swimming pool ($1.4 million) from ARPA funds is not essential. He requested the council publicly commit to starting the budget at revenue neutral.
• Mike Tambarella: Echoed calls for revenue neutral taxation, stating that a one-cent cut is meaningless and that if taxes are not reduced, citizens may be forced to sell their homes. He asked council members to publicly state their preferred tax rate.
• Marion Harley: Described personal property value increase from $289,530 in 2019 to $545,770 in 2023 (an 87% increase), stating that retirees on fixed incomes cannot afford such hikes and may lose homes. She appealed for the council to care for citizens.
• Karen Chiron (passionate reading): Listed specific expenditures (pickleball courts, pool, street sweeper, mowing tractors, asphalt truck, soil sample for posters) totaling over $2.6 million, calling them wasteful and non-essential. She argued ARPA funds should go to police, firefighters, and first responders instead. She pleaded for revenue neutral tax rate and criticized the spending as "theft" and "sinful."
• Tammy Gonter: Shared that she has lived in Gastonia for 47 years, noted higher tax rates than Charlotte with fewer amenities, and expressed frustration over a rumored state letter mandating revaluation. She asked the council to cut the budget and protect citizens.

Discussion Items

• ARPA Projects Update (Item H.1): City Manager Michael Peoples presented an overview of American Rescue Plan Act funds—$15.66 million total, with $3.7 million spent as of April 1. He explained the shift to revenue replacement allowed $10 million flexibility. Completed projects included playground replacements ($500,000), bridge repairs ($200,000), road resurfacing ($1.5 million), police body cameras/tasers ($1.3 million), and cybersecurity. Ongoing projects: Public Works facility renovation ($3.9 million phase one), Erwin Center pool replacement (budgeted $1.3M, needed $1.486M), Linwood Springs Park phase one ($1.5M match with state grant). Pending items included affordable housing, conference center upgrades, security cameras at Martha Rivers Park, workforce development, FUSE Stadium improvements, partnership with Greer Middle School, T. Jeffers Community Center pickleball courts ($312,680), and traffic signal preemption devices for fire trucks ($117,000).
• Council Discussion on Tax Rate and Spending: Multiple council members responded to public comments. Councilman Kellogg stated that revenue neutral would be "devastating" and require cutting essential services, as the city has 82,000 residents and large public safety departments. He pledged to work hard to lower the rate but cautioned against unrealistic expectations. Councilman Gallagher acknowledged the burden, noting his own tax bill would increase $1,600 if rates stayed unchanged, and committed to reducing it as much as possible. Councilman Owen and Councilwoman Step echoed the need for responsible cuts without harming services. Councilwoman Barber emphasized that council members also feel the pinch and assured the public they are gathering information. Councilwoman Step explained that revaluation is done by the county, not the city, and that Charlotte's lower rate is due to a much larger tax base.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of ARPA Funding Resolutions: Motion by Councilman Kellogg, seconded, to approve the ARPA projects as presented. Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution to award contract to Quincale/Custom Paving for T. Jeffers Community Center pickleball court resurfacing ($312,680).
  • Resolution to amend design-build contract with Southside Contractors for Erwin Center pool replacement (total $1,486,575, including bathhouse renovation).
• Consent Agenda Approved (see above).
• Proclamations Approved (see above).
• Mayor Pro Tem Kirlin announced upcoming meetings and events, including a budget work session on April 6, a special council meeting on April 25, and the city's upcoming Easter holiday closure.

City Council Reports

• Council members reported on community engagement activities: ribbon cutting for Amtrak station renovation, Multicultural Festival, Optimizing Wellness event, Habitat for Humanity build, Senior Games opening, Sister Cities anniversary, police promotions, and opioid settlement committee (chaired by Councilwoman Barber) with a public survey on spending $20 million in settlement funds.
• Councilman Gallagher noted he would continue to work on cutting the tax rate, and others echoed commitment to fiscal responsibility.

The meeting adjourned after announcements.