Gastonia City Council Meeting – September 5, 2023

The Gastonia City Council met on September 5, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. to conduct routine business, approve consent agenda items, hold public hearings on street closures and annexations, receive updates on the new Customer Care Center and the city's 2023–2025 goals, and hear committee reports. The meeting concluded with a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved 21 consent items unanimously, including resolutions to recognize insurance proceeds ($7,250), declare surplus police vehicle, award contracts for parking deck repairs ($134,000 to Western Specialty Contractors), interlocal agreements with Gaston County for soil erosion and stormwater enforcement, purchase of two DJI drones (M30T and Avata), set a public hearing date for October 3, 2023, for McLean Street closure, initiate annexation petitions for parcels on Pioneer Lane/Bessemer City Road and Fairview Drive, retain special counsel for PFAS/micro-plastics water contamination litigation, recognize asset-forfeiture proceeds ($13,665 total), and award contracts for leaf vacuum trucks ($515,148), excavator ($193,494), Highland Branch Greenway CEI services ($133,330), service truck with crane ($154,474), flatbed trucks for Parks & Recreation ($153,112), a boring machine ($200,568), traffic ordinance amendments (4‑way stop at Whitener/Hartman, reconfiguration at Aberdeen/Scalybark, parking prohibitions on Sherman and Oakwood streets, controls in Ruby Dixon Crossing), rejection of bids for Long Creek WWTP clarifier renovations, and acceptance for maintenance of portions of City Church Street, Kendrick Farms, and East Hudson Boulevard Townhomes Phase 2 subdivisions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the Public Expression period.

Discussion Items

Proclamations

• Council presented a proclamation recognizing Curtis Allen Lawrence for his community service (22 years military, publisher/editor of Insight Magazine, internships for students).
• Council also proclaimed September 2023 as Chiari Malformation Awareness Month; Ashley Anderson accepted and encouraged attendance at the Conquer Chiari Walk on September 16, 2023, at Dallas Park.

Customer Care Center Update

• Chief Information Officer Chris Koltyk reported on the first month of operations for the new Customer Care Center (phone: 704‑866‑6714). Key metrics: average 585 calls per day Monday–Wednesday, 475 on Fridays; the center handled 670 calls on September 5; peak times 8–9 a.m., 1–3 p.m., and 4–5 p.m.; average wait time 1 minute 37 seconds. One Spanish‑speaking staff member is available; a language line is also used.
• Councilmember Gallagher asked about training and knowledge management; staff described a knowledge base and real‑time WebEx chat with departments.
• Councilmember Worley noted cramped temporary quarters; CIO expects a move to permanent space at the MOC around early November 2023.
• Councilmember Gallagher received positive feedback from a resident who was helped with a billing issue.

Item I.1 – Closure of Mable Drive (Unopened Street)

• City Attorney Ashley Smith opened a public hearing. The street, near Red Bud and Hudson, is owned by Triangle Real Estate. Staff had no objection. Only speaker was Michael Dixon (548 Deerwood Drive), who explained the request supports a five‑acre subdivision. The council closed the hearing and approved the closure unanimously.

Items I.2 & I.3 – Voluntary Annexation and Zoning for 6.15 Acres on Goble Street

• Smith opened the public hearing for the annexation; Planning Director Jason Thompson presented the zoning assignment (RS‑8, single‑family residential). The property, owned by Greater New Mills Chapel Church, Inc., is currently Gaston County RS‑8. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. Councilmember Gallagher asked about conditions; Thompson noted non‑residential building design standards apply but no additional conditions can be placed under a base zoning district. Pastor Greta Moses (1030 Hip Road, Charlotte) spoke in favor, stating the church plans to build a new steel building and senior services. The council closed the hearing, approved the annexation ordinance, and approved the zoning assignment, all unanimously.

Items I.4 & I.5 – Voluntary Annexation and Zoning for 35.178 Acres on Beaty Road (Zora Grove Duplexes)

• Smith opened the public hearing for the annexation of 35.178 acres (owned by HLG Capital, LLC). Thompson presented the zoning request for RMF CD (Residential Multi‑family – Conditional District), proposing 190 duplex units (one‑ and two‑bedroom rentals). A traffic impact analysis requires three mitigation measures (left‑turn lanes at the development entrances and at Kendrick/Beaty intersection). The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval. One neighbor spoke in opposition at the Planning Commission meeting but none at the council hearing. Councilmember Kellogg asked about the project; developer representatives (Mark McCullies and Chris Todd) described a gated community with a pool, clubhouse, dog park, green space, and perimeter parking. Rents estimated at about $1,500/month. The council closed the hearing, approved the annexation, and approved the conditional zoning, all unanimously.

Item I.6 – Update to 2023–2025 Goals and Objectives

• City Manager Michael Peoples provided an update on transportation projects (phase one resurfacing over $10 million underway), utility projects (advanced metering infrastructure out for bid, expected to exceed $20 million; Southeast Utility Extension; Armstrong Ford Pump Station dedication), greenway projects, the Marietta Street athletic park, grants received (Golden Leaf $250,000; DEQ $500,000 for stormwater), the health clinic relocation to the depot on West Main, the career development incentive program effective January 1, 2024, and public safety recruitment. Questions from council addressed I‑85 widening (design‑build, construction likely within six months), aesthetic betterments for bridges (finalizing agreements with DOT), and item #52 (recruiting a satellite higher education facility) – still being worked on. Council also noted a duplicate item number (two #53s) and requested correction.

Committee Reports

• Public Safety Committee (Councilman Bob Kellogg): Reported meeting August 7, 2023. Fire department nearly fully staffed; police department has 177 sworn positions authorized, 161 filled, plus part‑time and overhires. Approved resolutions for special situations team equipment (silencer removed per federal rules), declaring K‑9 Coda surplus and awarding to handler, and declaring surplus bulletproof vests and other equipment. All approved unanimously.
• Intergovernmental Relations & Economic Development Committee (Councilman Kellogg): Reported action item – approval of an infrastructure reimbursement agreement with TRW 2020, LLC for improvements at The Rustin Building (downtown). Jim Morasel gave a brief update on the restoration of the 120‑year‑old building (roof replaced, infrastructure upgraded). Also discussed progress at 212 West Main Avenue (Citizens National Bank building), an $8 million project including a pass‑through and balconies. Motion to approve the reimbursement agreement passed unanimously.
• Arts Committee (Councilmember Gallagher presented on behalf of Councilwoman Stepp): Committee discussed grant eligibility (non‑eligibility for entities already receiving city funds), community engagement events, public art updates (Pell panels, biggest public art pieces), Keep Gastonia Beautiful Story Walk on October 14 at Rankin Lake Park, and resignation of committee member Travis Johnson and departure of Torrey Gillinger.

City Attorney’s Report

• City Attorney Smith noted that after announcements, council would go into closed session to consult on specific litigation (City of Gastonia vs. Jimmy Ray Turner, et al.; vs. Joshua Simpson, et al.) and to preserve attorney‑client privilege on other claims and an honorary award.

City Manager’s Report

• Michael Peoples requested moving the November 7 regular meeting to November 9 (at the courthouse) and renaming the Audit/Bids/Insurance Committee to Finance and Benefits to allow broader capital planning discussions. Both were approved by motion. He also announced excess trash week September 18–22, approval of the electricities agreement by all 19 municipalities, and potential transit route modifications due to driver shortages.

Council Reports & Announcements

• Councilmembers provided updates: Kellogg thanked responders for the smooth transition of the Faith Hope and Love encampment closure and noted Charlotte’s tech hub designation potential for Gastonia. Councilman Gallagher participated in F3 workout at Carramont Ballpark, a ride‑along with police (noted DWI enforcement by Officer Sam Cain), and fire department recruit training. Councilman Odom attended a junior police cadet ceremony, Lowell’s riverfront park celebration, Rotary Club, and an affordable housing committee meeting. Councilman Worley highlighted a community meeting at Phillips Center for West Gastonia engagement. Announcements included upcoming committee meetings (facilities, transportation, housing), the next council meeting on September 19, the Sheil Museum lobby reveal on September 28 (black‑tie), Habitat for Humanity event September 30, tour of City Center Crossings October 3, National Night Out October 4, and Armstrong Pump Station dedication October 5.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (21 resolutions) approved unanimously.
• Public hearing for closure of Mable Drive closed; closure approved unanimously.
• Public hearings for annexation and zoning of 6.15 acres on Goble Street closed; annexation and zoning (RS‑8) approved unanimously.
• Public hearings for annexation and zoning of 35.178 acres on Beaty Road (Zora Grove Duplexes) closed; annexation and conditional zoning (RMF CD) approved unanimously.
• City Council approved moving the November 7 meeting to November 9 and renaming the Audit/Bids/Insurance Committee to Finance and Benefits.
• Public Safety Committee action items (special equipment, K‑9 Coda surplus, surplus vests/equipment) approved.
• Intergovernmental Committee action item (infrastructure reimbursement agreement for Rustin Building) approved.
• Council went into closed session after adjournment of the open meeting.