Gastonia City Council Meeting Summary: July 18, 2023
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Gastonia City Council Meeting - July 18, 2023
The Gastonia City Council met at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in the Public Forum Room of the Gaston County Courthouse, with Mayor Walker E. Reid III presiding. The council adopted the agenda, approved the June 20, 2023 regular meeting minutes, and voted to excuse Mayor Pro Tem Curly. No members of the public signed up for Public Expression.
Proclamations
- Council recognized Chris Peek, President and CEO of CaroMont Health, as one of Becker's Healthcare's Top 100 Community Hospital CEOs to Know in 2023. The proclamation cited CaroMont's recognition as one of the nation's 100 top hospitals and an eighth straight A for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. Peek said CaroMont is the 13th largest private employer in the Charlotte region and intends to remain a community-based hospital in Gastonia. Council members praised CaroMont's $120 million critical care tower investment and its work on the opioid crisis.
- Council recognized Reverend Dr. Joan C. Martin on her retirement as chaplain of Covenant Village after 13 years of service, citing her ministry and community roles. Martin said she will continue her work with the Interfaith Trialogue of Gaston County.
Presentations
- Marc Jordan, President and CEO of the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked the city and noted that at least 100 of the chamber's 400 members are Gastonia businesses. He reviewed the chamber's newly adopted strategic plan and upcoming events.
- Mary Elliott, Director of Communications and Marketing, introduced Jessica Roberts as the city's new Web Content Specialist. Roberts said she had been in the role for about seven weeks and described the position as a sense of duty and purpose.
Consent Calendar
The council approved the following consent agenda items:
- Resolution approving the final recording plat for Nolen Farm Phase 3 Map 3.
- Resolution setting a September 5, 2023 public hearing for closure of Mable Drive.
- Agreement for an NCDOT FY24 Section 5303 transit planning grant in the amount of $59,325.
- Contract award to AMH Development North Carolina GC, LLC for sewer encasement for the Southeast Sewer Expansion Project in the amount of $89,600.
- Final recording plat for East Hudson Townhomes Phase 3.
- Tentative award of contract for Highland Branch Greenway Phase I to Quinn Sales in the amount of $1,022,539.09. Staff described this as a roughly half-mile missing link from the rail trail to Rankin Lake, funded by federal CMAQ money through NCDOT and not by city funds.
- Purchase of nine Dodge Chargers and one Dodge Durango from Ilderton Dodge in the amount of $374,274.83. Staff confirmed these replace vehicles more than 10 years old and will reuse existing outfitting equipment.
- Renewal of Cayenta software maintenance and support at $128,598.
- Renewal of Cayenta managed services at $92,507. A council member asked whether these agreements include cybersecurity and ransomware protections; staff said the software is a critical application used for utility billing and must run continuously.
Public Comments & Testimony
No members of the public signed up to speak; Public Expression was skipped.
Discussion Items
- Flint Mill Local Historic Landmark: The council held a public hearing and unanimously adopted an ordinance designating Flint Mill at 1910 Hunt Drive as a Local Historic Landmark. Economic Development Director Kristy Crisp said the project is a $77 million renovation creating 209 market-rate apartments. The landmark designation lowers the property valuation by 50 percent for taxes in perpetuity, and the council heard that prior interest in the property had not advanced. The council approved the ordinance after closing the hearing.
- Project Friday Tax Investment Grant: The council held a public hearing and unanimously approved a resolution to offer a Level Two Tax Investment Grant for Project Friday on Friday Park Road. Crisp said IDI Logistics is investing $26 million in a third 300,000-square-foot distribution and manufacturing facility, with construction to begin late summer 2023 and opening expected in September 2024, creating 50 to 60 jobs. Under the program, the company pays taxes and receives a percentage back. Details were to be negotiated by city legal staff based on the approved program.
City Manager's Report
City Manager Michael C. Peoples reported on GO bond resurfacing project updates, the near-completion of Franklin Boulevard decorative lighting, an upcoming revenue bond sale for the Southeast Utility Extension Project, a Charlotte Business Journal healthy employers award, housing projects underway, and progress at Irwin Center including parking lot completion and pool construction.
Council Reports & Announcements
- Councilwoman Barber announced that the Holland Neighborhood Association received a grant of upwards of $200,000 from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for an inclusive public art project, with a proposed site near the Irwin Recreation Center and three artists involved.
- Several council members praised the July 4 downtown celebration and Highland Fest. Councilman Gallagher said he filed for re-election in Ward 3.
- Councilman Kellogg thanked city staff, noted a speed awareness sign on Red Bud, and highlighted a safety awards presentation where North Carolina's labor secretary cited labor shortages and the opioid crisis as risks to the state's business climate.
- Mayor Reid announced upcoming meetings: July 19 Central City Revitalization Housing Committee Engagement Committee, July 24 Arts Committee, August 1 City Council meeting in Council Chambers, August 7 Public Safety Committee, and August 15 City Council meeting canceled.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted the agenda and approved the June 20, 2023 minutes.
- Approved the consent agenda as presented.
- Accepted proclamations for Chris Peek and Reverend Dr. Joan C. Martin.
- Adopted the Flint Mill Local Historic Landmark ordinance.
- Approved the Level Two Tax Investment Grant for Project Friday.
- Closed both public hearings without public comment.
- Noted that the August 15, 2023 City Council meeting is canceled.
Meeting Transcript
Council McGallagher. Sorry about the delay, Mr. Mayor. If you're so inclined, please join me in prayer. Dearly Father, we come to you in prayer and just want to lift up the city lord and the city business that we're about to uh look into and just ask you, Lord, for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and help us with uh the votes on what's going to come before us. And we ask you to watch over our police, fire, uh, electric, and city staff that are out there helping people every day and in every way. Just ask you to be with them, Lord, and keep them safe. Lord, um, we ask this in your son's strong name, Jesus Christ. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Under item C, the adoption of the agenda, I would like someone to make a motion to excuse Mayor Pro Tim Curly and Council. So moved. Second. Motion second, all in favor, please indicate. Also, for the adoption of the agenda, are there any additions, deletions, updates, whatever you may have. If not, what are we should the council? Vote to approve. Second. Motion second, all in favor, please indicate. Under item D, the approval of the minutes for the regular council meeting held on June the 20th. What do we wish to council? Motion to approve. Second. Second, all in favor, please indicate. Down to item E, award ceremony, and promotions, proclamation recognizes Mr. Chris Peak, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caramont Health for his national recognition recognition by the Beckers Health Care as one of the top 100 community hospitals CEOs. Our recipient tonight is Mr. Chris Peak, and I will be the presenter if you will. Come to the podium. You can invite anybody up that you would like to be up there with you for this special occasion. Apparently, my family would prefer to watch it from the gallery. Mr. Peak, I generally would come down there or stand with you, but tonight I'm gonna give you the honor to be solo at the podium. I'm gonna read your proclamation when we're done. I'm gonna ask you to make remarks, and after you make remarks, you can invite you and your family up. We're gonna take a photograph to uh show our gratitude to you for the wonderful job you've done here in the city. Thank you, Mayor. Whereas Mr. Chris Peak, a 30-year resident of Gas County, and the president and chief executive officer of Caramunt Health, who was recently recognized nationally as one of the top 100 community hospital CEOs to know by uh Beckers Healthcare. And whereas Mr. Peak has spent more than 20 years leading large national and reasonable nonprofit and public administration organizations, including a deputy county manager for Mecklenburg County, overseeing a 1.6 billion dollar annual budget and operations of 5500 employees. And whereas under the leadership of Mr. Peak, Caramont Health was recently named as one of the nation's 100 top hospitals for Watson Health. Only one of two hospitals in North Carolina to achieve this this distinction. In addition, Caramont Health has received this eighth straight A for patient safety from the Leak Frog Group, and whereas after attending Gaston College, Mr. Pete graduated with honors from the Belt College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and attained a Master of Business Administration degree from Amberton University. He is also a certified lead six Sigma Executive Champion and attained the strategic executive designation from Cornell University. And whereas Mr.
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