On behalf of the city council and myself, I'd like to welcome you to the April 2nd, 2024 meeting, and I call the meeting to order.

And we'll first have the invocation.

It'll be led by Mayor Pro Tim Curling.

Thank you, Mayor.

Prior to the invocation, uh, I would like to uh read this uh, which was penned by one of the city staff uh with reference to Kurt Scholler.

Uh it is with great sadness that I wanted to share that Kurt Scholder Pac Scholler passed away on March 23rd, 2024 at the age of 81.

Kurt was the founding father of Gastonia Sister Cities, and without his support and dedication to establishing and growing Gastonia sister cities, we wouldn't be where we are today.

Gastonia Sister City started with a conversation way back in 1990 between then Mayor James Jick Garland and a native German living here for the past 20 years, Kurt Scholler.

Mayor Garland was so excited about the potential of this idea to promote global unity and friendship that he appointed a committee of interested citizens to make this happen.

While Kurt's mind wasn't what it was in his end years, we want to honor what he did to help Gastonia and celebrate him as one of our founding fathers.

There's some information here about uh condolence messages can be sent online to McLean Funeral Home dot com.

Um, and those interested in making donations and little flowers can actually make donations to Gastonia sister cities.

So just wanted to share with that with you all this time.

Um to our invocation.

Uh if you're so in love, computers.

Um, if you're so inclined, you can bow your heads with me.

Uh Heavenly Father, we gather this evening to do the work of the city and ask that you be with us as we determine the best course of action for our citizens.

Give us wisdom and guidance, open our minds to the possibilities of how to make this great city even greater.

We thank you for all that you have provided for us, things we take for granted, like work, a home, food, clothing, and a loving family that supports us.

Continue to watch over our employees, especially those who put their lives on the line every day in the course of duty to protect others.

We've lift up those who are less fortunate, those who are challenged with physical and mental illnesses, disabilities, and those who have lost jobs and have lost loved ones.

We request that you watch over our homeless population.

Please give them the means by which to find their way back into housing so that they may no longer suffer from the uncertainties of the ailments, provide them the ability to have a warm meal and assist us to help them create the opportunity for a healthier life.

So be with us now.

These requests come from your Hubble service as we go about your work in honor and glory to you.

Amen.

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.

Thank you, Councilman.

Each of you should have your agenda in front of you.

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

I move that we accept the agenda as presented.

Second.

Seconded by Councilwoman Step.

All those in favor.

It's unanimous.

Next on the agenda is approval of the amendment of the minutes from the regular city council meeting on March 19th, 2024.

Motion to approve.

Second.

Seconded by Councilman Kellogg.

All those in favor.

It's unanimous.

Next, we'll have award ceremonies and promotions.

First up is a proclamation recognizing April 2024 as North Carolina 811 Safe Digging Month.

The recipient of this award will be our director of public utilities, Brian Pataki, and our presenter will be Councilman Odom.

Okay, proclamation.

Whereas utility owners, excavators, designers, and homeowners work to keep pace with North Carolina economic development.

It is important to minimize damage to underground utility lines, danger to workers and the general public, environmental impact, and loss of utility services to the citizens of North Carolina.

And whereas North Carolina 811, a utility service notification center and leader in education, celebrates its 46th year of continuous service to the state.

And whereas this unique service provides easy one call notification about construction and excavation projects which may endanger workers and jeopardize utility utility lines for promoting workplace and public safety.

Reducing underground utility damage, minimize utility service interruptions, and protects the environment.

And whereas the vital service, which began in 1978, serves the citizens of North Carolina from the mountains to the coast.

Whether the project is small as planted a tree, or to designing and beginning construction on a new interstate.

And whereas in 2023, the North Carolina one call system received 2.49 million notification requests and transmitted over 1.14 million requests, providing protection to utility companies, infrastructure, their employees, excavators, and customers.

Now, therefore, be it resolved.

To encourage all excavators and homeowners of Gastonia to contact 811 either by dialing 811 or contacting North Carolina 811 via the web page of North Carolina 811.org at least three working days prior to digging in order to know what's below.

Avoid injury, protect the environment, prevent millions of dollars in damages, and to remind excavators that three working days notice is the law for safety digging is no accident, and that more information may be obtained by visiting WW North Carolina 811.org.

In witness thereof, I have hereby set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Gastonia to be a fixed this 19th day of March in the year of our Lord 2024.

Mayor Richard France attached to Susan J.

Gibbs, City Clerk.