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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting – May 16, 2023: Student Awards, Proclamations, Rezoning Approval, and Budget Concerns

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, May 16, 2023

BodyGastonia, North Carolina

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateTuesday, May 16, 2023

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:58:42

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Silence your phones before we get started.

0:04

And we're gonna have our open invitation by Councilman Charles Odom, followed by the uh Pledge of Allegiance.

0:12

Councilman Oder.

0:14

If you're inclined to do so, let us bow our heads.

0:18

Father Goddess, in your name we come tonight, thanking you, thanking you for this day, thanking you for life, health, and strength, O Heavenly Father.

0:25

And as we gather here today, your people, O Heavenly Father, we just ask and pray for your guidance and every decision that would be made, everything that we would discuss, Lord Jesus, that we invite you to be in the midst of it all, oh Lord.

0:42

Lord, we pray for this entire city that we live in, our communities, uh Gaston County as a whole.

0:50

Lord Jesus, we just pray that you just direct everything that we do in this city and for this city.

0:59

Bless our staff, bless those that put their lives on the line every day, Lord Jesus, from linemen to firemen to policing to secretarial staff, oh Lord, uh just bless everyone in a mighty way, oh heavenly father.

1:15

And Lord, we just ask and pray that you just be satisfied with the things that we do and what we say in every walk of life.

1:24

In Christ's name we pray.

1:26

Amen.

1:27

Amen.

1:33

Pledge and leaders to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it says one nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.

1:46

Thank you.

1:46

You may be seen.

1:51

Under item C the adoption of the agenda.

1:54

Are there any additions, deletions, modifications?

1:58

If not, what are we should of council?

2:01

Motion to approve.

2:02

Second.

2:03

Oh motion second.

2:04

All in favor, please indicate.

2:05

Thank you very much.

2:07

Under item D, approval of the minutes for the city council meeting on May the second.

2:12

What are the wishes of council?

2:16

We have a motion second.

2:18

All in favor, please indicate.

2:20

Thank you very much.

2:21

Moving on down to item E, the award ceremony and promotion, student achievement awards.

2:26

Our presenter this evening will be Councilman Jim Gallagher.

2:32

Um the schools to line up over here on the hallway by the curtains.

2:38

So it's in alphabetical order.

2:40

So the way to do it is Ashbrook will be first, rear will be second, Highland will be third, Under House fourth, Southwest, fifth, West, sixth, and Norchester 7th.

2:52

Okay.

3:27

To recognize the students in gas uh in Gastonia, the high schools and the middle schools, and really it's a pleasure for all these high achievers for all they have achieved and all that they're going to achieve.

3:40

Uh the first one up is Ashbrook and the uh student is Monica Velasco and the principal, assistant principal is Curtis Meachum.

3:53

Come on up.

3:54

Let me present this to you and I'll read it to you, Monica.

3:57

Um, and then you can speak.

3:59

Um for outstanding uh academic achievements and contributions made to Gaston County Schools presented this 16th day of May 2023 by the mayor and the council of the city of Gastonia.

4:13

And Monica, this is for you, and thank you for all your hard work.

4:17

Thank you.

4:17

All right, so let's hear something about you.

4:23

Good evening, City County City Council members, Mayor Reed, and others presenting for this exciting recognition for Gaston County School's middle and high school students.

4:34

My name is Curtis Mitchum.

4:35

I am one of the assistant principals at Ashburg High School.

4:38

I'm here on behalf of Dr.

4:39

Wilson, our principal, who's doing our awards night.

4:42

So I was elected to come tonight, and I'm very excited about that.

4:46

It is with great pleasure to introduce you to Monica Velasco.

4:50

She's an excellent student and such a wonderful young woman.

4:53

It is obvious to everyone around her that she is a hard worker and a loving individual.

5:00

She's a great role model for her peers in terms of leadership, academic success, maturity, and civic participation.

5:06

Monica's dedication, personality, and academic achievement make her a deserving recipient of tonight's award.

5:13

At Ashbrook, Monica serves as co-leader for the Zoo crew, which is our student section.

5:18

She has served as a sophomore class treasurer, student body treasurer for student council, and National Honor Society Treasurer.

5:26

She also participates in several other clubs, such as Interact, Junior Civiton, Unified Club, Drama Club, and the Ashbrook Booster Club.

5:36

As a four-year member of Civiton, she has completed a various uh completed various community service projects in our area while also serving as a member of our student counselor for the past two years.

5:47

Her service in these two groups have greatly benefited our Ashbrook community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Community Engagement████████████████████20%

Youth Programs█████████████13%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Transportation Safety█████████9%

Procedural████████8%

Budget Equity Analysis███████7%

Zoning███████7%

Historic Preservation█████5%

Affordable Housing████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting – May 16, 2023

The City Council of Gastonia met on May 16, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included student achievement awards, multiple proclamations, a presentation on the ACE matching grant program, public expression on the proposed budget and other topics, approval of a consent agenda, a continued voluntary annexation hearing, and a public hearing and approval of a rezoning for 200 affordable multifamily units on Court Drive. Council also scheduled a special budget work session for May 30, 2023.

Consent Calendar

Approved all eight consent agenda items (H.1–H.8) unanimously, including a resolution for engineering design services for the Remount Road and Avon Creek Greenway Extension (not to exceed $366,319.07), recognition of additional Schiele Museum revenues and $200,000 revenue sharing, recognition of $3,000,000 in additional electric sales revenue, acceptance of a state airport grant, purchase of a service truck for $141,028.76, destruction of seized poker machines, acceptance of donation of the former Linwood Springs Golf Course clubhouse, and setting a public hearing date for June 20, 2023, for closure of an unopened portion of Providence Drive.

Public Comments & Testimony

Catherine Boswell expressed gratitude for the council’s work, stating the city has created value and quality of life for residents and investors.
Robert Ross criticized the proposed 2023-24 budget, noting the tax rate of 47 cents per $100 is 10 cents above the revenue-neutral rate of 37 cents. He argued the five-cent cut is misleading because inflated property values result in a net increase, and urged council to adopt a rate closer to revenue neutral.
Jenna Jordan (Gastonia East Rotary Club president) and Drew Horine (Gastonia Summer Concert Series chair) announced four free concerts starting May 19, highlighting $200,000 given back to the community over seven series.
Sean Stacy opposed the budget, stating the property revaluation was a COVID-induced fluke and that using two-thirds of the increase for spending burdens citizens. He urged council to use discretionary taxes instead of property taxes and to cut the budget.
Mike Camborella urged council to go revenue neutral, delay non-essential projects, and consider using reserves or increasing fees to avoid the property tax increase.
Clark Simon expressed appreciation for the anticipated Pride proclamation at the June 6 meeting, thanking council for support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Margaret Taylor (1209 Edgefield Ave.) objected to a planned traffic circle at Edgefield and Sherwood Avenue, raising concerns about survey notification, lack of traffic justification, and potential loss of property access. She questioned why such a project was proposed without clear need and asked council to reconsider.

Discussion Items

ACE Matching Grant Program (Item F.1): Tyler Davis, Neighborhood Program Administrator, presented the Alliance for Community Enrichment matching grant program. Recognized communities can apply for up to $1,500 (with TIN) or $599.99 (without TIN) on a 1:1 match basis. Eligible projects include physical improvements, neighborhood identity, community events, environmental projects, and safety initiatives. Staff recommended approval of $591.67 for Laurel East Community Watch for upgraded signage and brochures. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
Voluntary Annexation Continuance (Item I.1): City Attorney L. Ashley Smith requested a continuance to June 20, 2023, because the accompanying zoning application was delayed due to a canceled Planning Commission meeting. Council approved the continuance unanimously.
Lofts at Court Dr. Rezoning (Item I.2): This public hearing involved a request to rezone 12.64 acres on Court Drive from RS-8 to RMF CD (Residential Multifamily Conditional District) for up to 200 affordable units (50–70% AMI). The Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend approval. The applicant, Winfield Properties, described adjustments reducing building heights facing single-family homes from three to two stories, and a revised site plan with enhanced vegetative buffers. Public testimony included strong opposition from Smyre Village residents citing traffic congestion, narrow roads, school bus and emergency vehicle access, and the historic character of the mill village. Several residents referred to the 2000 Smyre Mill Village Plan, arguing it called for development compatible with historic architecture. Council discussed traffic impact analysis (TIA) requirements, road capacity, and the need for affordable housing. After the hearing, Councilman Gallagher moved to approve, seconded. The motion passed (majority in favor; one opposed recorded as “our vote in the firm”).

Key Outcomes

Budget Work Session Scheduled: Council agreed to hold a special budget work session on May 30, 2023, at 5:30 PM (preceded by the Awards Committee meeting at 4:00 PM) to address public questions about fee increases, use of fund balance for capital projects, and the long-term impact of the tax rate. Council members requested that specific questions be submitted to staff in advance.
Award and Ceremony Approvals: All proclamations (Glenn Foundation 50th Anniversary, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa 100th Anniversary, National Salvation Army Week) were accepted unanimously.
Student Recognition: Student Achievement Awards were presented to seven students from Gastonia middle and high schools. Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council senior Sarah Shifflet was recognized.
Consent Agenda Approved (see above).
Rezoning Approved: The rezoning for Lofts at Court Dr. (200 affordable units) was approved with conditions as proposed.
ACE Grant Awarded: Resolution for $591.67 to Laurel East Community Watch for signage and brochure upgrades approved.

City Manager’s Report

Michael Peoples noted the start of intern positions, illegal sign collection (548 signs picked up on May 12 alone), paving progress on GO Bond projects (two miles per week on $10 million contract), notice to proceed for Irwin Pool on May 22, and updates on Highland Rail Trail bid (May 18) and Marietta Park. He also mentioned a request for two council members to attend a Carolina Thread Trail tour on June 3.

Council Reports

Council members reported on senior games, community opioid forum, Honey Hunters game, hosting Gothenburg (Sweden) guests, and arts events. Councilman Kellogg emphasized the need for affordable housing and expressed hope that the Court Drive development would improve the Smyre Village community. Councilman Gallagher moved to approve the rezoning.

Announcements

Mayor Reid provided a schedule of upcoming meetings and reminded of Memorial Day office closure (May 29).

Meeting Transcript

Silence your phones before we get started. And we're gonna have our open invitation by Councilman Charles Odom, followed by the uh Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Oder. If you're inclined to do so, let us bow our heads. Father Goddess, in your name we come tonight, thanking you, thanking you for this day, thanking you for life, health, and strength, O Heavenly Father. And as we gather here today, your people, O Heavenly Father, we just ask and pray for your guidance and every decision that would be made, everything that we would discuss, Lord Jesus, that we invite you to be in the midst of it all, oh Lord. Lord, we pray for this entire city that we live in, our communities, uh Gaston County as a whole. Lord Jesus, we just pray that you just direct everything that we do in this city and for this city. Bless our staff, bless those that put their lives on the line every day, Lord Jesus, from linemen to firemen to policing to secretarial staff, oh Lord, uh just bless everyone in a mighty way, oh heavenly father. And Lord, we just ask and pray that you just be satisfied with the things that we do and what we say in every walk of life. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. Amen. Pledge and leaders to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic for which it says one nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seen. Under item C the adoption of the agenda. Are there any additions, deletions, modifications? If not, what are we should of council? Motion to approve. Second. Oh motion second. All in favor, please indicate. Thank you very much. Under item D, approval of the minutes for the city council meeting on May the second. What are the wishes of council? We have a motion second. All in favor, please indicate. Thank you very much. Moving on down to item E, the award ceremony and promotion, student achievement awards. Our presenter this evening will be Councilman Jim Gallagher. Um the schools to line up over here on the hallway by the curtains. So it's in alphabetical order. So the way to do it is Ashbrook will be first, rear will be second, Highland will be third, Under House fourth, Southwest, fifth, West, sixth, and Norchester 7th. Okay. To recognize the students in gas uh in Gastonia, the high schools and the middle schools, and really it's a pleasure for all these high achievers for all they have achieved and all that they're going to achieve. Uh the first one up is Ashbrook and the uh student is Monica Velasco and the principal, assistant principal is Curtis Meachum. Come on up. Let me present this to you and I'll read it to you, Monica. Um, and then you can speak. Um for outstanding uh academic achievements and contributions made to Gaston County Schools presented this 16th day of May 2023 by the mayor and the council of the city of Gastonia. And Monica, this is for you, and thank you for all your hard work. Thank you. All right, so let's hear something about you. Good evening, City County City Council members, Mayor Reed, and others presenting for this exciting recognition for Gaston County School's middle and high school students. My name is Curtis Mitchum. I am one of the assistant principals at Ashburg High School. I'm here on behalf of Dr. Wilson, our principal, who's doing our awards night. So I was elected to come tonight, and I'm very excited about that.

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