Regular City Council Meeting: October 17, 2023
Regular City Council Meeting: October 17, 2023
Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting originally took place on September 19, 2023. Per instruction, the date is presented as October 17, 2023.
The Gastonia City Council held a regular meeting on October 17, 2023, starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting featured proclamations for National Hispanic Heritage Month, Good Neighbor Day, and Fire Prevention Week; an ISO Fire Rating presentation; public comments; approval of consent and regular agenda items; and committee reports. Key decisions included annexations and rezoning, a major contract for public works renovations, updates on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects, and approval of multiple in-kind service requests for community events.
Consent Calendar
- Approved 10 consent items, including:
- Acceptance of a $500,000 LASII grant for stormwater infrastructure asset inventory.
- Final recording plats for Robinson Oaks Phase 4 and Copper Mill Map 1.
- Annexation agreement between Gastonia and Bessemer City.
- Acceptance of a $10,000 Downtown Revitalization Grant for signal box art.
- Purchase of picnic shelter and restroom materials from Icon Shelter Solutions and Cedar Forest Products ($397,093) funded through CDBG-CV and ARPA.
- Award of contract for one right-of-way tractor ($88,087) with budget amendment.
- Purchase of two vehicles for Technology Services ($118,936.80).
- Sale of surplus refuse truck to High Shoals ($6,800).
- Consulting services for Analysis of Impediments to fair housing ($38,515) from CDBG funds.
- Councilmember Gallagher pulled item H6 for clarification: the purchase covers materials for prefab shelters and restrooms at Linwood Springs and T. Jeffers Community Center. Discussion on H7 explained the vehicle replacement process (22-year-old tractor replaced after lifecycle analysis). H9 highlighted surplus sale to neighboring municipality, showing cost recovery.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dr. Diane Jenkins Johnson (Movement Community Life Concepts) invited council and public to the ribbon cutting of the Rafa Urban Community Garden on September 30, highlighting the garden as a healing space with free library, prayer board, and community fellowship.
- Mike Tabarella expressed concerns about consent agenda vehicle purchases lacking a replacement plan, and criticized the city's focus on apartment development over homeownership, urging efforts to attract families buying homes in the $700k–$1M range.
- Don Allman (Laurel East Community Watch) reported success in getting a traffic study and site distance study for the unsafe intersection of Laurel Lane and Robinwood Road, with 274 signatures. Thanked the ACE program, councilmembers, and police for support.
Discussion Items
- Proclamations (Items E.1–E.3): Council adopted proclamations for National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15–Oct 15), Good Neighbor Day (Sept 28), and Fire Prevention Week (Oct 8–14). Recipients shared remarks on community impact.
- ISO Fire Rating Presentation (Item F.1): Fire Chief Phil Welch announced the city achieved a Class 1 fire rating (best possible), effective Nov 1. The rating improvement from Class 2 to 1 will lower insurance premiums for commercial properties.
- Annexations and Rezonings (Items I.1–I.4):
- Longview Subdivision: Approved voluntary annexation of ~10.56 acres on Fairview Drive and rezoning to PD-RRDD for 93 single-family homes (mid-$300k average price). Applicant Kent Olson described amenities: outdoor gazebo, cooking area, fire pits.
- Bessemer City Road/Pioneer Lane: Approved annexation of ~4.6108 acres and rezoning to C-3 (general commercial) for a future commercial use. Property owner Doris Stewart’s attorney noted no specific plan yet.
- FUSE Overlay District (Item I.5): Approved creation of the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment (FUSE) Overlay District on four parcels (owned by Gastonia Airline LLC and the city). The ordinance amends the zoning map and UDO to allow uses consistent with the West Franklin Redevelopment Plan. Planning commission had voted 6-0 to recommend.
- Public Works Campus Phase 1 Contract (Item I.6): Approved $3,634,795 amendment to agreement with Myers and Chapman for design-build construction services at the city garage. Scope includes solid waste facility renovation, car wash upgrades, fuel depot improvements, emergency generator, new parking, and ADA-compliant restrooms. Funded via ARPA.
- ARPA Projects Update (Item I.7): City Manager Michael Peoples provided an update on ARPA-funded projects, including completed playground replacements, bridge repairs, traffic signal equipment, cybersecurity, and ongoing work at Erwin Center pool, pickleball courts, and Linwood Springs. Total spent on finished projects: ~$2 million. Remaining funds: $538,000 earmarked for affordable housing (preserving private partnerships, not city building homes), $250,000 for workforce development, and $750,000 for potential school field partnership. Noted a budget amendment to capture interest for the Myers and Chapman contract.
- Committee Reports (Items J.1–J.4):
- Recreation Advisory Commission: Summer programs, pickleball court progress (ribbon cutting Nov 3), Linwood Springs updates, Erwin Center gym floor and pool.
- Facilities/Management Committee: Conference center finances positive (July closed $57,497 above budget, FY2024 looking strong). Approved Z. Smith Reynolds art installation at Erwin Center ($208,000 grant).
- Transportation Committee: Approved resolution to apply for USDOT Reconnecting Communities grant for railroad ditch cap study. Transit updates: microtransit development, ridership down due to driver shortage, airport fuel station near completion, pavement condition index improved by 2 points.
- Central City Revitalization & Housing/Community Engagement Committee: Approved CBDO application/RFP/policy, and multiple in-kind service requests (see Key Outcomes). Directed staff to draft plan for rental relief partnership with United Way and Gaston County.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimously adopted all three proclamations.
- Unanimously approved consent agenda (with discussion on H6, H7, H9).
- Unanimously approved voluntary annexation and rezoning for Longview Subdivision (93 single-family homes on Fairview Drive).
- Unanimously approved voluntary annexation and rezoning for 4.6108 acres on Bessemer City Road/Pioneer Lane to C-3.
- Unanimously approved UDO amendments creating FUSE Overlay District.
- Unanimously approved $3,634,795 contract amendment with Myers and Chapman for Public Works Campus Phase 1 (with budget amendment for interest).
- Unanimously approved resolution to support USDOT grant application for railroad ditch study.
- Unanimously approved Z. Smith Reynolds art installation at Erwin Center.
- Unanimously approved in-kind service requests for: Deaf Awareness Walk & Fun Fest (Nov 4), Gastonia Harvest Festival & Food Drive (Nov 11), Veterans Day Parade (Nov 11), and Gastonia First Assembly Concert & Outreach (Oct 15).
- Unanimously approved directing staff to draft a plan for rental relief partnership with United Way and Gaston County.
- City Attorney reported settlement of condemnation case (Gastonia vs. Jimmy Ray Turner et al.) for $21,000.
- City Council went into closed session at the end of the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
To all of you that came out in the commercial tonight, those that we'd be um watching on Spectrum TV, we will open our meeting tonight with our invocation by Councilman Robert Kellogg and uh followed by our Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you. Uh, please join me for a moment of prayer if you're so inclined. And is that uh I was gonna say is that Reverend Burks it's not um please join me in a moment of prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this beautiful day that you have given us. We thank you for the the gift of life. We thank you for those that you plant in our way who offer encouragement and help along our journey. Lord, we thank you for those who are of service in our city for our firemen, for our police officers, for our city staff, our crew, all of those individuals who work tirelessly to make our lives easier and better. We thank you for all the good things that you have supplied us. And we also pray a special prayer today for those who don't feel so fortunate, those who are maybe sick or ill, those who are in a tough spot, those who may be homeless, those who may be in the middle of using some kind of substance. Father, we just pray a special prayer for those individuals that you will cover them, that you will help them, and that you will give them peace. As we get ready to do your business tonight, we pray that that you would help us as council members and the city staff, that you would give us wisdom, that you would help us to make wise decisions, and that you would just be here in our presence. We ask this all in your name. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seen. Before we address item C, the adoption of the agenda, with someone make a motion to it. Excuse uh Councilman Odom. So moved. Thank you very much. Um we're down now to item C where we're actually adopted the agenda for the diet. I'd like for you all to also consider item 1.6, adding item 1.6 before you uh as part of adopted the agenda for the wishes of the council. Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to accept the agenda, also adding um item 1.6 as well. Second. Oh motion second, all in favor, please indicate. Thank you. Under item D, the approval of the minutes for the regular council meeting on September the 5th. Uh, what are we should the council are there any additions, uh corrections, relations, uh questions? If not, what are wishes? Motion to approve. Second. Motion and second, all in favor, please indicate. Thank you. This month, our recipient officer is uh Officer James and uh McGill Rodriguez, and also uh I'm gonna let Council Daniel Barber address that those that are here tonight with the uh receiving this proclamation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I believe I saw they're here. Okay, yes. I have two copies of the proclamation here today, one for um Wow Supermarket, as well as one for Officer Haimez. And the proclamation reads, whereas Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic American citizens and highlights the countless achievements and contributions, and whereas the observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, this was observed annually until 1988, when it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to the period of September 15th through October 15th and became National Hispanic Heritage Month. And this has been celebrated annually since then. And whereas more than 60 million Americans of Hispanic origin today contribute to our national diversity, enriching the quality of American life with centuries old traditions that reflect the multi-ethnic and multicultural customs of their communities, while adding their own distinct and dynamic perspectives to the story of our country. And whereas this observant of observance affords special opportunities to become more knowledgeable about Hispanic heritage and to honor the many Hispanic Americans who represent a significant and fast-growing demographic of the city of Gastonia. We honor the invaluable ways they contribute to our country. And now therefore, be it resolved. Do hereby proclaim the month beginning September 15th and ending October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month and urge all citizens to join us in celebrating the great contributions of Hispanic Americans to our city, state, and nation. In witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Gastonia to be a fix this the 19th day of September in the year of our Lord 2023, signed by our mayor Walker E.
openpublica.com