Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting - January 16, 2024

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, January 16, 2024

BodyGastonia, North Carolina

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateTuesday, January 16, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:16:39

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

0:00

I'd like to welcome you to the January 16th, 2024 meeting, and I will now call the meeting to order.

0:08

At this time, Councilwoman Steph will give the invocation.

0:13

Well, and since we have a couple of pastors from our community here tonight, I've asked Dr.

0:18

Pierre Crawford if he would do our invitation tonight.

0:21

Dr.

0:22

Crawford, if you'll come.

0:29

Mayor and Council, friends, let us pray.

0:33

Father, we thank you for allowing us to gather together on today.

0:38

We pray now, Lord, that you would be with this city council as they take a look at everything that needs to be done in this city.

0:48

What a task they have before them.

0:50

We pray, Lord, that you would guide them, lead them, show them what to do and what not to do.

0:58

We pray, Lord, that you would help us as citizens to continuously hold them accountable and give them guidance as you lead us as well.

1:08

It is in the matchless name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

1:15

If everybody would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, and Councilman Kellogg is going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:37

Thank you, Councilman Kellogg.

1:44

All the council members, you guys should have the uh agenda in front of you.

1:48

Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions to the agenda as presented?

1:54

Mr.

1:55

Mayor, I make a motion that we adopt the agenda as presented.

2:00

The motion has been made and seconded.

2:03

What are the wishes of the council?

2:04

Everybody in favor.

2:09

It's unanimous.

2:11

Next item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from our regular council meeting on January the second, 2024.

2:19

What are the wishes of the council?

2:20

Motion to approve.

2:22

So we have a motion and a second.

2:25

What are the wishes of the council?

2:29

It's unanimous.

2:33

Next on the agenda is the awards ceremonies and promotions.

2:38

The first one up is the proclamation recognizing January 16, 2024 as the National Day of Racial Healing.

2:48

The recipients are Reverend Dr.

2:50

Pierre Crawford, the North Carolina Human Relations Commissioner and Pastor of Center Baptist Church, and it will be presented by Councilman Dave Curly.

3:06

My good friend.

3:07

We already know to see you tonight.

3:10

Thank you so much for being here and thank you for providing us with the indication.

3:14

Thank you, sir.

3:15

Yes, absolutely.

3:18

It's uh with great pleasure that I read this proclamation.

3:23

Whereas the City of Gastonia believes that every person has the right to every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in nurturing environments that do not violate their safety, dignity, and humanity.

3:37

And whereas we all have a unique responsibility and opportunity to work collaboratively to create courageous and supportive environments that acknowledge the traumatic past, promote the healing of the wounds created by racial ethnic bias, and build an equitable and just society where every person can thrive.

4:00

And whereas we believe that every person can make a simple change within himself or herself toward racial healing that can have a profound effect on an entire society.

4:13

And whereas we continue to dedicate ourselves to the principles of truth, racial healing and transformation, in order to bring the necessary changes in thinking and behavior that will propel our great city forward as a unified force where racial biases will become a thing of the past.

4:34

And whereas we believe that racial healing is vital and crucial to the education, social, mental, and overall well-being of all, and whereas the city of Gastonia in conjunction with others throughout the United States of America acknowledges the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr.

4:54

Day as the National Day of Racial Healing.

5:00

Day as the national day of racial healing, and urges all citizens to promote racial healing and transformation in the ways that are best suited for them individually in order to work together to ensure the best quality of life for every person.

5:13

And whereas the City of Gastonia will continue to work through our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative to build awareness of the practices that build racial healing and to advance racial equity in our great city.

5:26

Therefore, I, Richard Franks, mayor of the City of Gastonia and the City Council of the City of Gastonia proclaim that this city honors and recognizes Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, as the National Day of Racial Healing.

5:44

In witness thereof, I have here to set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Gastonia to be affixed this 16th day of January in the year of our Lord 2024.

5:56

Signed Richard Franks, Mayor, attested Suzanne J.

6:01

Gibbs, our city clerk.

6:04

Pastor.

6:12

Once again to our mayor and city council and to all that are gathered.

6:16

It is an honor to receive this proclamation on today.

6:21

We are thankful for the work of DEI under the leadership of Ms.

6:27

Jazar, and we're thankful for her leadership and working with us on the North Carolina Human Relations Commission for the state of North Carolina, and which was asked by Governor Roy Cooper to serve.

6:42

So I'm thankful for this on today, and we pray that God will allow us, as it mentions, to come in a circle, blacks and whites, and others to sit down and talk about real solutions to systemic racism.

7:01

If we ignore it, it won't go away.

7:04

And if we challenge to go and do something about it, we can make a difference, starting here in Gastonia and beyond.

7:13

Thank you so much.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████████23%

Public Safety█████████████13%

Community Events███████████11%

Urban Design Standards█████████9%

Public Works████████8%

Community Engagement███████7%

Affordable Housing█████5%

Budget Equity Analysis████4%

Racial Equity███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting - January 16, 2024

The Gastonia City Council met on January 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rev. Dr. Pierre Crawford and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Kellogg. Council adopted the agenda and approved the January 2, 2024 minutes unanimously, presented three community recognitions, received the Healthy Highland Collaborative charrette report, heard two public comments on spending and the summer concert series, and approved consent, committee, and regular agenda items, including the 2024 GO Bond resurfacing contract.

Awards, Ceremonies & Proclamations

National Day of Racial Healing (January 16, 2024): Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin presented the proclamation to Rev. Dr. Pierre Crawford, North Carolina Human Relations Commissioner and pastor of Center Baptist Church. Dr. Crawford expressed appreciation and said systemic racism "will not go away" if ignored, urging honest conversations about solutions.
National Black History Month (February 2024): Mayor Richard Franks presented the proclamation to recipients and their representatives. Cheryl Littlejohn (Smith's Soul Food Bistro, Legacy Event Center, Lady Vols Legacy & Legends Foundation) thanked the council and noted the bistro's four-year anniversary. Rev. Crawford, accepting for Center Baptist Church, cited statistics that 87% of Caucasian applicants receive a home loan while 75% at the same bank are denied the same loan under the same criteria, saying the country "still has a long way to go" in 2024.
Certificate of Recognition: Councilman Jim Gallagher recognized the Gaston Day High School Spartan Varsity Ladies Tennis Team as undefeated state champions. Coach Eric Ibsen reported an 18-0 season, the school's second state title in three years, and a fifth consecutive MAC conference championship; the team's five-year record was 68-7.

Presentations

Healthy Highland Collaborative Project Charrette Report: Councilwoman Donyel Barber introduced the report by Terry Shook and Alex Borisenko of Shook Kelley, based on a March 2023 charrette with the Highland Neighborhood Association and the Congress for New Urbanism. The concept envisions a gateway building with Rams Kitchen/market on the ground floor, community space, a pocket park, and 52 units of affordable senior housing; a roughly 90-unit version was noted as more financially viable with Laurel Street developers. Shook urged the city to consider establishing a land trust, blunt gentrification, and support "missing middle" housing. In response to council questions, the presenters said city financial requests are still being assembled, grant opportunities exist (especially for Rams Kitchen), and similar projects such as Charlotte's Brightwalk have been self-sustaining. Councilman Kellogg praised the community-driven, not developer-driven, process.

Public Comments & Testimony

Mike Tamborella (2816 Colony Woods Drive): Expressed concern about city spending and criticized the $500,000 appropriation for legal fees to pursue a bankrupt entity, saying "we are not Charlotte" and warning that residents cannot afford another tax increase.
Roberta Fail (1654 Village Court): Urged the council to fully defund the summer concert series and require the Rotary to seek private sponsorships, citing the $50,000-per-year cost, the additional $10,000 inflation request, and tax-incentive grants to TrueBridge Residential. She stated the city "should not be in the entertainment business" and should prioritize essential services such as leaf pickup.

Committee Reports

Public Safety Committee (Councilman Gallagher)

The committee met January 8 at 5:30 PM. The fire department reported being well staffed; new equipment will be rolled out in March. A future fire station near Union New Hope Road, on donated land, will require about 15 personnel and new apparatus; fire equipment lead times are about 36 months.
Police vacancies: the department is down 20 officers, with six cadets in the pipeline. Two more officers resigned, both taking school resource officer positions elsewhere.
Promotions: the police department added lieutenants to its rank structure for the first time, promoted four sergeants (reducing sergeants from 26 to 20), and added 19 corporals.
The fleet replacement plan, purchased through the state system, is being reviewed for the budget.

Central City Revitalization & Housing Committee (Councilman Kellogg)

Community Foundation Run (2.A): The committee voted 3-0 to recommend, and council unanimously approved, in-kind services for the April 13, 2024, run. In 2023 the run required 217 staff hours at a total cost of $8,025 (police 175.5 hours/$5,969; fire 9 hours/$177.51; parks and recreation 16.5 hours/$599.06; public works streets 8 hours/$1,012.96; traffic 8 hours/$266.16). Councilwoman Barber clarified these are in-kind services by staff, not a cash contribution; under a new policy effective January 1, 2025, organizers will pay staff costs. The Community Foundation also committed $2,500 toward homelessness.
Summer Concert Series (2.B): Council approved 6-0 the in-kind request for four concerts (May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, 2024) plus a $10,000 increase due to inflation. Jenna Jordan, Gastonia East Rotary treasurer, said each concert requires about 1,600 volunteer hours, and that over five years the Rotary funded 2,000 Thanksgiving meals for seniors and 3,000 meals for the Boys & Girls Club, with more than $200,000 granted to the community over eight years. Councilman Kellogg noted it takes $1 million to reduce the tax rate by one cent per $100 of assessed value. Councilman Odom committed Highland Community Art to provide rock painting at two concerts.
Facade grants: A level-two facade grant of $20,000 for 120 East Main Avenue and a level-three grant for the hangar at 618 West Franklin will be heard as public hearings on February 6, 2024; if both are approved, a budget amendment will move $50,000 from the municipal service district (MSD) fund - paid by downtown property owners - to the facade account. The committee voted 3-0 to recommend the grant.
The committee also received informational updates on CBDO matters and the program year 2023-2024 multifamily housing RFP.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the seven-item consent agenda 6-0 after discussing two items:

Conference center carpet: $32,600 from the conference center fund balance to replace the original ballroom carpet (Budget Amendment 2420026). Staff said the carpet dates to the facility's 2011 opening and will be paid from the FF&E account funded by Culinaire's revenue contribution, not the general fund.
FUSE litigation: $500,000 appropriation for ongoing litigation costs related to NC Gas House Gang, LLC (Budget Amendment 2420027). Councilman Kellogg clarified the amount is an appropriation "to use as needed," not necessarily an expenditure.
Safety grant: $15,000 from Norfolk Southern for a MediBurn 30 medical and evidence incinerator (2420028).
Flock Safety contract (pulled for discussion): Contract with Flock Safety for police camera equipment, not to exceed $228,900. Officials said the city has six Flock Falcon license-plate-reader cameras, a grant will fund nine more, and remaining costs come from asset forfeiture funds. They cited 55 crimes solved in Gastonia in 2023, a claimed 70% crime reduction in communities using Flock, and access to a regional network of 2,850 cameras; Councilman Odom noted that seven out of 10 crimes involve a vehicle.
Airport runway extension: Grant agreement with the NCDOT Aviation Division recognizing $2,300,000 in Transportation Reserve Program funding (2420029).
Franklin Blvd. manholes: Resolution rejecting all bids for manhole adjustments on Franklin Boulevard.
ABC Board travel policy: Approval of the Gastonia ABC Board's 2024 travel policy.

Regular Agenda

UDO Amendment Public Hearing (File #202300503): Planning Director Jason Thompson presented amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (Sections 7.1-1, 7.3-1, 8.1.5, 8.1.17) revising residential uses and dimensional requirements, focused on infill development, duplex standards, and townhomes. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Council closed the public hearing and approved the amendment unanimously, with a statement of reasonableness and consistency with the Gastonia 2025 Comprehensive Plan.
2024 GO Bond Resurfacing Contract: Director of Development Services Rusty Bost presented the award for 25 miles of resurfacing to Blythe Construction, Inc. for $8,974,974.26, within a total program budget of about $9.09 million. Bid alternates 2, 3, and 4 are included, and manhole adjustment work was rolled into the contract, saving an estimated $75,000-$100,000. Both bidders were named Blythe (Blythe Construction, Inc. and Blythe Brothers Asphalt). The 2023 program (30 miles plus five added miles) is nearly complete, with final paving awaiting warmer weather. Council approved the contract unanimously, contingent on city manager and city attorney review.

Staff & Council Reports

City Attorney: Requested a closed session to consult on attorney-client privilege and claims involving the city.
City Manager: Leaf collection extended to March 30; a one-year GO Bond progress report is being prepared; the strategic planning retreat is January 19 at Centralina in Charlotte and January 20 at the Municipal Operations Center; the GBA elected officials reception is January 17; Civic Federal Credit Union will place a kiosk at the Garland Center as it prepares to replace the Local Government Federal Credit Union.
Council reports: Included thanks to fire personnel for a cell-tower rescue in Ranlo, recognition of Keep Gastonia Beautiful as the national affiliate of the month, MLK Day event highlights, and arts announcements (Little Theatre's Diary of Anne Frank, auditions for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and a Beautiful Blackbird collaboration with the African American Museum of History and Culture).
Announcements (Mayor Franks): Upcoming meetings include the Citizens Committee Recognition Banquet (January 18), strategic planning sessions (January 19-20), Municipal Citizens Academy (January 22 and February 5), the next regular council meeting (February 6), the Arts Committee (February 19), and a second council meeting (February 20).

Key Outcomes

Agenda adopted and January 2, 2024, minutes approved unanimously.
Proclamations and certificate of recognition presented.
Community Foundation Run in-kind services approved unanimously.
Summer Concert Series in-kind request and $10,000 increase approved 6-0.
Facade grant items advanced to the February 6, 2024, public hearing.
Consent agenda approved 6-0, including the Flock Safety contract not to exceed $228,900.
UDO amendment approved unanimously after public hearing.
2024 GO Bond resurfacing contract awarded to Blythe Construction, Inc. for $8,974,974.26, contingent on city manager and city attorney review.
Council moved into closed session; nothing was reported afterward.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to welcome you to the January 16th, 2024 meeting, and I will now call the meeting to order. At this time, Councilwoman Steph will give the invocation. Well, and since we have a couple of pastors from our community here tonight, I've asked Dr. Pierre Crawford if he would do our invitation tonight. Dr. Crawford, if you'll come. Mayor and Council, friends, let us pray. Father, we thank you for allowing us to gather together on today. We pray now, Lord, that you would be with this city council as they take a look at everything that needs to be done in this city. What a task they have before them. We pray, Lord, that you would guide them, lead them, show them what to do and what not to do. We pray, Lord, that you would help us as citizens to continuously hold them accountable and give them guidance as you lead us as well. It is in the matchless name of Jesus, we pray, Amen. If everybody would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, and Councilman Kellogg is going to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Councilman Kellogg. All the council members, you guys should have the uh agenda in front of you. Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions to the agenda as presented? Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we adopt the agenda as presented. The motion has been made and seconded. What are the wishes of the council? Everybody in favor. It's unanimous. Next item on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from our regular council meeting on January the second, 2024. What are the wishes of the council? Motion to approve. So we have a motion and a second. What are the wishes of the council? It's unanimous. Next on the agenda is the awards ceremonies and promotions. The first one up is the proclamation recognizing January 16, 2024 as the National Day of Racial Healing. The recipients are Reverend Dr. Pierre Crawford, the North Carolina Human Relations Commissioner and Pastor of Center Baptist Church, and it will be presented by Councilman Dave Curly. My good friend. We already know to see you tonight. Thank you so much for being here and thank you for providing us with the indication. Thank you, sir. Yes, absolutely. It's uh with great pleasure that I read this proclamation. Whereas the City of Gastonia believes that every person has the right to every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in nurturing environments that do not violate their safety, dignity, and humanity. And whereas we all have a unique responsibility and opportunity to work collaboratively to create courageous and supportive environments that acknowledge the traumatic past, promote the healing of the wounds created by racial ethnic bias, and build an equitable and just society where every person can thrive. And whereas we believe that every person can make a simple change within himself or herself toward racial healing that can have a profound effect on an entire society. And whereas we continue to dedicate ourselves to the principles of truth, racial healing and transformation, in order to bring the necessary changes in thinking and behavior that will propel our great city forward as a unified force where racial biases will become a thing of the past. And whereas we believe that racial healing is vital and crucial to the education, social, mental, and overall well-being of all, and whereas the city of Gastonia in conjunction with others throughout the United States of America acknowledges the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the National Day of Racial Healing. Day as the national day of racial healing, and urges all citizens to promote racial healing and transformation in the ways that are best suited for them individually in order to work together to ensure the best quality of life for every person. And whereas the City of Gastonia will continue to work through our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative to build awareness of the practices that build racial healing and to advance racial equity in our great city. Therefore, I, Richard Franks, mayor of the City of Gastonia and the City Council of the City of Gastonia proclaim that this city honors and recognizes Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, as the National Day of Racial Healing. In witness thereof, I have here to set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Gastonia to be affixed this 16th day of January in the year of our Lord 2024. Signed Richard Franks, Mayor, attested Suzanne J.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com