Gastonia City Council Meeting - November 9, 2023
Gastonia City Council Meeting - November 9, 2023
The Gastonia City Council held a regular meeting on November 9, 2023, at 6:00 PM at the Gaston County Courthouse. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, public hearings on three economic development projects, approval of a lease agreement, committee reports, and various announcements. Councilmembers Robert Kellogg and Charles Odom were excused. The meeting concluded with a closed session.
Consent Calendar
- The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included 15 items, after a brief question about Item F.14 (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant). Items covered: a Small Business Saturday proclamation; multifamily housing revenue bonds for Rutherford Crossing (up to $12,075,000); an interlocal agreement with Gaston County Schools for Schiele Museum infrastructure ($372,700); a contract for FUSE Centerfield Restrooms expansion at CaroMont Health Park ($1,017,786); sale of Broad Street parcels to NCDOT ($33,800); a cold weather shelter agreement with United Way ($5,000); final recording plats for three subdivisions; a sole source justification; contracts for knuckleboom trucks ($427,174) and a bucket truck ($165,080.49); adoption of federal funding policies; acceptance of a $78,543 JAG grant; and renaming a block of West Granite Avenue to "Aunt Charlotte's Way."
- On Item F.14, Councilman Gallagher asked about the funding split between the city and county. City Attorney Smith later reported that Chief Connor explained the allocation is based on Part 1 crimes under federal guidelines, with both the city and county giving 25% of their respective shares to the sheriff's office.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Robert Payne (representing the Gaston 12 Step Service Club) expressed concerns about a neighbor who has complained and threatened the club's operation at 601 East Third Avenue. He described the club as a safe space for Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, serving the community for 22 years, and asked for council support.
- Margaret Royster (member of the 12 Step program for 21 years) testified that she became homeless due to drinking and credits the program with helping her earn a bachelor's and master's degree, start a business, and educate her children. She runs a 7:00 AM group at the club and urged the council to support their efforts.
- Mike Tamborello (2816 Colony Woods Drive) congratulated re-elected council members, thanked outgoing Mayor Reid for his service, and acknowledged Councilman Kellogg's willingness to serve, despite electoral loss.
Discussion Items
- Economic Development Agreements (Public Hearings):
- Project Precise (Level 1 grant): An expansion of an existing local company involving a $4 million investment in buildings, 31 new jobs at an average salary of $58,000. The county and state have also approved incentives. Council approved the grant unanimously after questions confirmed taxes are paid first before reimbursement. The project uses a code name to protect trade secrets.
- Project Seattle (Level 2 grant): A $21 million investment at Gateway 85 Building Seven (partly in Gastonia and Lowell), creating 107 jobs at an average of $25.82/hour (~$53,000 annually). County and Lowell had already approved. Council approved unanimously.
- Project Program (Level 2 grant): An Italian company (related to Project Tectonic) purchasing a speculative building at 1338 Mount Olive, with $17.2 million investment in building and equipment, 222 jobs at an average salary of $78,153. County and state also contributing. Council approved unanimously, with Councilman Gallagher noting increased tax base and economic benefits.
- Solid Waste Temporary Facility Lease (G4): Assistant Director Robert Cloninger presented a proposal to lease county-owned property (former St. Peter's Amazon Church site) for $1 for temporary solid waste operations during the Public Works Campus Phase 1 construction. The site will house trailers for crew chiefs and a ready room, providing proximity to the city garage. Council approved the lease for an estimated six-month duration.
- Personnel Committee Report (H1): Councilwoman Stepp reported on the committee meeting held October 19. Key items:
- Employee survey results: 64% participation (589 of 930 employees), with open-ended responses receiving 15,200 votes from 610 respondents. Top employee improvement suggestions were noted.
- Approval of changes to the Personnel Policy Manual, including federal grant compliance, clarification on probation language, addition of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, civic organization benefits, increased mileage allowance, and a new anti-bullying policy. Council approved unanimously.
- Approval of the Career Development Incentive Program, providing a 1% pay increase upon completion of learning, wellness, and DEI activities for FY2024. Council approved unanimously.
- Current vacancy rate ~10%, turnover ~19% (as of October 2023). The committee also reviewed evaluation forms for the city manager and city attorney, with plans to update them before the next April evaluations.
- Arts Committee Report (H2): Councilwoman Stepp (recused from one item) reported on the committee's actions:
- Grants disbursements approved ($8,000 to Boys & Girls Club, Carolina Street Art Collaboration, CAST and Dance; $5,000 to Gaston School of the Arts; $8,000 to Highland Art Park; $8,000 to Little Theater of Gastonia - latter approved separately with Stepp recusing).
- Up to $2,000 for a Gaston Max festival activity; up to $5,000 for school art shows (now limited to Gastonia city schools); up to $3,000 for an art social event at The Rooster (networking and celebration of grantees). All approved unanimously.
- Tabled discussion of a $25,000 Armstrong Park mural project (estimated $10/sq ft for18x8 ft wall) pending further information on wall condition and potential donor support.
- Nominations for committee vacancies approved: Kathleen Finch ( appointed by Councilwoman Stepp) and Ethan Peeler (appointed by Councilman Gallager) to fill resignations.
- Center City Revitalization & Housing / Community Engagement Committee Report (H3): Councilman Kellog (chaiman) was absent; staff presented items:
- Appoved an $1,500 architectural design grant and $10,000 facade grant for 121 W. Main Ave (Smith Drug building) for a co-working space with a coffee lab, offices, cubicles, and media studio. The tenant, Keanu, presented plans.
- Received updates on the Ford Boy Housing Study by Bruce Rich (UNC Greensboro) with eight recommendations; formal presentation scheduled for November 21 council meeting. No action taken.
- Approved resolution to approve substantial amendments to the 2020 Consolidated Plan and 2023 Annual Action Plan for CDBG and HOME funds to reallocate funding for current program year activities.
Key Outcomes
- All three economic development incentive grants (Precise, Seattle, Program) were approved unanimously after public hearings.
- The $1 lease agreement with Gaston County for solid waste temporary operations was approved.
- Personnel policy manual changes and career development incentive program approved.
- Arts committee grant disbursements and event funding approved (with one recusal).n- Center City facade grants and CDBG/HOME plan amendments approved.
- Committee nominations approved.
- The council voted to go into closed session to consult with the city attorney on a potential claim.
Other Reports & Announcements
- City Attorney Report: Chief Connor explained the JAG grant funding split is based on Part 1 crime statistics, with both city and county allocating 25% to the sheriff's office.
- City Manager Report: Mike Peoples announced drought conditions and a voluntary burn ban; reduced transit hours starting November 13 due to personnel shortages (afternoon routes on Saturday schedule through December 4); an S&P credit rating upgrade to AA with stable outlook; sign clean-up beginning Nov 20; Norfolk Southern rail improvements on Main Street through Nov 13-16; and the Carolina Conference Soccer Tournament at CaroMont Health Park.
- Council Reports: Members thanked voters, noted recent events (pickleball court ribbon cutting, Linwood Springs groundbreaking, Highland Branch Greenway groundbreaking), reported on committee meetings, highlighted Little Theater's sold-out Sweeney Todd, and expressed concern over opioid/fentanyl crisis after an infant was revived with Narcan.
- Mayor's Announcements: Upcoming holidays (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving), committee meetings, city council meeting on Nov 21, Christmas events including tree lighting and parade, and a council swearing-in on Dec 5.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to November 9th, Gastonia City Council meeting. I invocation tonight will be uh introduced by Councilman Jim Gallagher, followed by the Pledge of Releases. Yes, thank you for joining us. Um if you're so inclined, please join us in prayer. We can have Father Rossi from St. Michael's Catholic Church pray for us. Father. Lord God, we come before you with open hearts and open minds. We recognize that you call us to serve in our roles of leadership, especially in our city and county. We ask you to pour out your Holy Spirit upon our city council members, give them wisdom and understanding. We ask you, Lord, to also bless them in their family lives and whatever personal burdens they they've carried with them this evening, along with the burdens they carry of our city. We know that we all have our own burdens this evening in our own lives. We ask you to send the Holy Spirit upon each of us to increase our trust in you, Lord. We ask a special blessing upon all of our city officials and our county officials, all those who are serving in police and first responders, firefighters, our hospitals, all of our uh city officials who work in sanitation and to keep our city uh clean and to keep our city uh operational. We ask also in this this time of uh leadership transition that will be occurring in our own county and and nation in the months ahead that we will continue to understand that our role of leadership is one of service. Give us a heart for the poor to hear the cries of those most in need, that we will turn our eyes to them and and see your face in their suffering. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Let's uh easy to fly for the United States of America, but to the Republic for which you say it's one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you very much, Father. Before we adopt the genders and I'd like someone to make entertain a motion to excuse Councilman Kellogg and also Councilman Oder. Second. Oh motion second. All in favor, please indicate it's unanimous. Thank you very much. Also, uh, are there any additions? Questions to the to the uh agenda. Motion to approve. Second. We have an addition. Amendments. We have amendments for item F 10. Any this item needs to be removed for consideration at a later time. And item F11. Um there was a uh name that was listed incorrectly, and it had should be appear as Carolina Environmental Systems, and there's an updated resolution in our uh packet. Are you making so we need to make a motion? We need I'll make a motion that we uh accept the amended a motion removing consent agenda item F10 and including the correct vendor name of Carolina Environmental Systems and Item F11. Motion second, all in favor, please indicate. Thank you. On the approval of the minutes for the regular city council meeting on October 17, what are the wishes of council? Motion to approve. Second. Thank you. On the item F, we have public expression. In order to keep within the time frame allowed for public expression, each person will be limited to between two and five minutes. Speaking time, um may vary depending on the number of uh participants who have uh signed up to speak without any questions or rebuttal from council. Um looking at the sheet.
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