OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting – February 6, 2024

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, February 6, 2024
BodyGastonia, North Carolina
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, February 6, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:12:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Evening, everybody.

0:00

My name is Richard Franks.

0:02

I'm the mayor of Gastonia, and on behalf of the council, I want to welcome you to the night's meeting.

0:06

February the 6th, 2024.

0:09

I will now call the meeting to order.

0:11

And I'm going to change up a little for the invocation.

0:14

Pastor Jackson, would you stop?

0:16

Step to the microphone there and lead us an invocation.

0:22

Let us have a word of prayer.

0:25

Gracious Lord, our heavenly father.

0:28

It is again that we are calling on thy holy and righteous name.

0:32

As the City Council of Gastonia come to discuss business of the city, we pray that you would guide us, lead us, and help us in every way that we do tonight.

0:43

And we love you.

0:44

We thank you and bless each and every one that's here and those who may be on their way.

0:49

In Jesus' name we do pray.

0:51

Amen.

0:53

Councilwoman Barnaby.

0:58

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:06

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:20

Everybody should have uh the agenda in front of them.

1:23

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

1:30

Mr.

1:31

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we accept the agenda as presented.

1:34

Second.

1:35

Second was made by Councilman Odom.

1:38

All those in favor.

1:40

It's unanimous.

1:42

Next on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from January 16th, 2024, which was a regular council meeting.

1:52

Strategic planning retreat session one, January 19th, 2024.

1:57

Strategic planning retreat session two, January 20th, 2024.

2:02

Do I have a motion to accept?

2:05

Motion to approve.

2:06

Second.

2:07

Second by Dr.

2:07

Curling.

2:08

All those in favor?

2:11

Unanimous.

2:14

Next on the agenda is public expression.

2:17

We have two people signed up.

2:20

Uh you will each have five minutes.

2:22

And uh the council members cannot address you, and you cannot address each of the council members.

2:30

So we'll start with Miss Roberta Fell.

2:38

Good evening.

2:39

My name is Roberta Fell and I live at 1654 Village Court.

2:43

I know it is late in the process for me to be weighing in, but this is due to the fact that the city pursued a new tenant for the stadium in secrecy, and citizens such as myself were not given the opportunity to give our opinions.

2:56

It is truly upsetting to me that the city would basically make the same deal with the new owner as we had with Mr.

3:02

Bellamy.

3:03

When we are paying for a tenant's electricity, water, sewage, solid waste, etc.

3:09

It adds up to the taxpayers holding the bag for hundreds of thousands of dollars just for these utilities, not even including what we are paying for the facility itself.

3:19

Yes, I have heard it puts heads in beds and creates growth and benefits for all, but research shows that it is not true.

3:28

I recently read an article written by John Hood, and he quoted both left and right-leaning institutions and scholars, and all agree, not part of them, but all of them agreed that citizens do not benefit from professional sports teams.

3:44

The article is titled, Don't Use Tax Dollars to Bring Major Baseball to North Carolina, if you would care to read it.

3:51

A few quotes that stood out to me are a tax dollar spent on a baseball park represents a dollar, a tax dollar not spent on a core public service, are not available to taxpayers to spend on a good or service of their choice.

4:04

It costs taxpayers more to subsidize a sports enterprise than they get back in benefits.

4:11

And a city or county does not see net economic growth from subsidizing stadiums.

4:17

This is one of the most consistent findings in economics.

4:20

Yes, we're stuck with the stadium, but it leaves me wondering who in the world is negotiating this bad deal and why are taxpayers subsidizing wealthy owners of a professional ball team.

4:34

Also on the agenda for tonight's meeting is a resolution to increase code enforcement abatement contracted services in the amount of $50,000 to cover anticipated costs through June the 30th, with $98,000 already appropriated for 2024.

4:50

That would make the total amount 148,000.

4:54

Please explain before you vote why taxpayers are paying for contractors to abate housing and public nuisance violations if the properties are not brought into compliance by the owners.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development█████████████████████████████29%
Public Works███████████████15%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Arts And Culture█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Personnel Matters████4%
Budget Equity Analysis███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting – February 6, 2024

The Gastonia City Council met on February 6, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included public expression, a consent agenda of 15 items, three public hearings for façade grants, and consideration of a use and operating agreement for FUSE Stadium. Council also approved nominations to the Planning Commission and went into closed session.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Roberta Fell (1654 Village Court) opposed the new stadium deal, arguing it mirrors the previous agreement with Mr. Bellamy and that taxpayers subsidize utilities for a professional team. She cited research showing no net economic benefit from stadium subsidies. She also questioned the $50,000 increase for code enforcement abatement (total $148,000 for 2024) and the $288,900 cost for utility payment kiosks, suggesting mail is cheaper.
  • Mike Tamborella (2816 Colony Woods) urged the council to prioritize spending and reduce the tax rate, noting that homeowners cannot afford further increases. He questioned whether the kiosk cost includes installation and maintenance, and asked about efforts to recoup code enforcement costs from property owners. He also expressed hope that the new stadium owner was vetted more thoroughly than the previous one.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (15 items):
    • F.1: Sale of city property to NCDOT for $24,125 for East Franklin Boulevard widening.
    • F.2: Final recording plats for Nolen Farm Phase 3 Maps 6 & 7.
    • F.3: Final recording plat for Copper Mill Map 3.
    • F.4: $288,900 contract with DynaTouch Interactive Technologies for utility payment kiosks (funded by water/sewer/electric funds). Discussion clarified that the five kiosks accept cash, check, and credit card, and will be placed at a supermarket on the west side and at Garland Business Center. No face-to-face payment is currently available.
    • F.5: Support for a RAISE grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
    • F.6: Easement to Duke Energy for electrical service at Southeast Regional Pump Station.
    • F.7: Public hearing set for March 5, 2024, for closure of Honeysuckle Lane (unopened street). Discussion noted that the city owns three lots adjoining the lane, and the closure will split the property with the petitioner and public service.
    • F.8: $50,000 increase for code enforcement abatement contracted services (total $148,000). City Manager explained that costs are attached as liens to properties, typically collected when properties are sold; liens are valid for 10 years.
    • F.9: Contract with NCDOT for electric utility conflicts along E. Franklin Blvd. and S. Broad Street, recognizing $277,168 revenue.
    • F.10: Designation of applicant’s agent for FEMA grant requirements.
    • F.11: $95,794.56 for two 2024 Ford F150 Police Responders for the Police Department.
    • F.12: Directing clerk to investigate annexation petition of ~219.178 acres on Union New Hope Road, with a public hearing on February 20, 2024.
    • F.13: $50,000 increase for Downtown Municipal Services District Façade Grant Program.
    • F.14: $51,610.92 for one 2024 Ford F250 for Public Utilities, with $53,617 budget amendment.
    • F.15: Approve offer to purchase ~10,000 sq ft of city property for $5,000.

Discussion Items

Façade Grants (Public Hearings G.1–G.3)

  • G.1: 120 East Main Avenue (Level II Façade & Architecture Grant) – $84,150 investment; grant of $20,000 (façade) + $1,500 (architecture). The property will be redeveloped into a premium salon suite (27 entrepreneurs) by Jacinda Jacobs and her husband, honoring their late son. The building will combine two structures into one with an arts-and-crafts style façade. Approved unanimously.
  • G.2: 618 W. Franklin Blvd., Suite B (Level III Façade Grant) – $436,632 investment; grant of $30,000. Project by Eric Vargasco for “The Hangar” in the FUSE district, featuring hangar doors, enhanced signage, and a pedestrian sidewalk. Plans include a car café. Approved unanimously.
  • G.3: 141 West Main Avenue (Level II Façade & Architecture Grant) – $74,400 investment; grant of $20,000 (façade) + $1,500 (architecture). The Cotton Building will receive new windows, doors, and restored columns. Ground floor will host a restaurant (Mix, by Chen) and possibly another tenant; upper floor apartments remain. Approved unanimously.

FUSE Stadium Use and Operating Agreement (G.4)

  • City Manager Michael Peoples and City Attorney Ashley Smith presented a 15-year agreement with a new operator for an Atlantic League baseball team at Caromont Health Park. Key terms:
    • $50,000 annual management commission (no naming rights).
    • Team commits to 200 events per year (including baseball games and non-baseball events).
    • Non-relocation clause for 10 years; team must include “Gastonia” in name and on jerseys.
    • Team accepts stadium “as is, where is”; major capital repairs funded from a capital repair account, with council approval needed for shortfalls.
    • Indemnification for the operator against potential dispossession or litigation stemming from prior circumstances.
    • Lease details (including rent) to be presented on February 20, 2024, after a public hearing.
  • Council expressed enthusiasm for the 200-event goal and the commitment to activate the stadium. Motion to approve with an effective date of February 20, 2024, passed unanimously.

City Council Reports

  • Councilman Kellogg: Attended art exhibit at New Hope Baptist Church; Roof Above presentation on affordable housing; visited new affordable housing units in Highland neighborhood; noted Point-in-Time count for homelessness.
  • Dr. Curling: Attended first ABC Board meeting; reported ABC in good financial health, planning a new store on the west side (Archie White Side Road) with potential for a fire station on adjacent land; revenues down slightly in December but recovering.
  • Councilman Gallagher: Announced nominations to Planning Commission – Jeff Howe (Ward 3) and Julie Coffey (Ward 5) – approved unanimously. Also reported on Little Theater productions, Pastor Jackson’s 25th anniversary, and Jim Stewart’s retirement from Planning Commission after 12 years.
  • Councilman Odom: Attended Men’s Warehouse ribbon cutting; visited new homes on Norman Street; praised partnerships with Belmont Group.
  • Councilwoman Step: Hosted Korean student delegation; attended police and firefighter balls; reported on Arts Committee social event; highlighted collaborative play between Little Theater and African American Museum for Black History Month (sold out).
  • Councilwoman Barber: Attended police appreciation event; visited open house at affordable housing units on Norman Street.
  • Mayor Franks: Announced upcoming events – Caromont Health Management press conference (Feb 7), Firestone Relief Sewer public meeting (Feb 15), Arts Committee meeting (Feb 19), Municipal Citizens Academy (Feb 19 and Mar 4), next City Council meeting (Feb 20), Gaston Business Association breakfast (Feb 22), and NC League of Municipalities dinner (Mar 6).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • All three façade grants (G.1, G.2, G.3) approved unanimously.
  • FUSE Stadium use and operating agreement (G.4) approved unanimously, with effective date February 20, 2024.
  • Jeff Howe (Ward 3) and Julie Coffey (Ward 5) appointed to the Planning Commission.
  • Council voted unanimously to go into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11 to consult with the city attorney regarding the case City of Gastonia vs. NC Gas House Gang LLC and other claims.

Meeting Transcript

Evening, everybody. My name is Richard Franks. I'm the mayor of Gastonia, and on behalf of the council, I want to welcome you to the night's meeting. February the 6th, 2024. I will now call the meeting to order. And I'm going to change up a little for the invocation. Pastor Jackson, would you stop? Step to the microphone there and lead us an invocation. Let us have a word of prayer. Gracious Lord, our heavenly father. It is again that we are calling on thy holy and righteous name. As the City Council of Gastonia come to discuss business of the city, we pray that you would guide us, lead us, and help us in every way that we do tonight. And we love you. We thank you and bless each and every one that's here and those who may be on their way. In Jesus' name we do pray. Amen. Councilwoman Barnaby. 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. Everybody should have uh the agenda in front of them. Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions as the agenda is presented? Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we accept the agenda as presented. Second. Second was made by Councilman Odom. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Next on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from January 16th, 2024, which was a regular council meeting. Strategic planning retreat session one, January 19th, 2024. Strategic planning retreat session two, January 20th, 2024. Do I have a motion to accept? Motion to approve. Second. Second by Dr. Curling. All those in favor? Unanimous. Next on the agenda is public expression. We have two people signed up. Uh you will each have five minutes. And uh the council members cannot address you, and you cannot address each of the council members. So we'll start with Miss Roberta Fell. Good evening. My name is Roberta Fell and I live at 1654 Village Court. I know it is late in the process for me to be weighing in, but this is due to the fact that the city pursued a new tenant for the stadium in secrecy, and citizens such as myself were not given the opportunity to give our opinions. It is truly upsetting to me that the city would basically make the same deal with the new owner as we had with Mr. Bellamy. When we are paying for a tenant's electricity, water, sewage, solid waste, etc. It adds up to the taxpayers holding the bag for hundreds of thousands of dollars just for these utilities, not even including what we are paying for the facility itself. Yes, I have heard it puts heads in beds and creates growth and benefits for all, but research shows that it is not true.

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